The source told the news agency that two jail guards at the Metropolitan Correctional Center are required to make separate checks on all prisoners every 30 minutes, but that procedure was not followed overnight.

In addition, every 15 minutes guards are required to make another check on prisoners who are on suicide watch.

The decision to remove Epstein, who was possibly the most high-profile inmate in the federal jail system, from suicide watch has both baffled former wardens and veterans of the federal prison system alike.

A separate source revealed to DailyMail.com that Epstein actually told prison guards and fellow inmates that he believed someone had tried to kill him in the weeks before his death.