Barbie pageants and tutoring inmates: What Jen Shah’s life in prison is REALLY like
Barbie pageants and tutoring inmates: What Jen Shah’s life in prison is REALLY like
RHOSLC’s Jen Shah is taking full accountability for her actions while serving a 6.5-year prison sentence for running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme. She’s got a few years until she’s released.
Meredith Marks was casually chilling out at home when she saw the name of an old friend, Jen Shah, pop up on her phone. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star is currently behind bars, and we NEED to know how she’s doing and whether she’s coming back to the show once she’s released.
When is Jen Shah released from FPC Bryan Prison?
Jen Shah is currently serving an extended jail sentence at FPC Bryan Prison. She began her prison sentence in February 2023, where she is paying restitution and making a small amount of money.
She was arrested in March 2021 along with her assistant Stuart Smith. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Her sentence has been reduced multiple times, most recently in October, meaning she is due to be released in December 2027. She entered a guilty plea in July 2022, admitting she was “sorry”.
She’s tutoring her prison inmates
Jen is certainly keeping busy in prison. She’s entered a Barbie pageant, been tutoring her fellow inmates, and has been writing regular journal entries – some of which she has shared with viewers.
Shah ran an entire beauty showcase behind bars and has even been communicating with the public from there. In February, Jen reflected on the first year behind bars in an exclusive letter to PEOPLE.
She wrote, “Throughout this painful process, God has substantially increased my humility, gratitude, and courage. In my daily prayers, I ask God for the courage to realize I am worthy of a second chance.”
The RHOSLC former cast member revealed she’d undergone countless therapy sessions and classes to release her fear and guilt, adding she’s “fighting for that moment of happiness each day.”
Meredith Marks teases co-star’s return
Meredith Marks recently hinted at Shah’s return after receiving a call from her. It marked the first time she’d ever been on the phone to someone in prison, and said she’s doing “extremely well”.
During a WWHL episode, Meredith, Heather Gay and Lisa Barlow all agreed they’d rather Jen return than former cast member Monica Garcia, as she’s taken accountability for her actions.
It’s expected Shah will return to the show after her release, especially because she was arrested on camera, with her asking for her mic to be taken off before police questioned her.
Meredith said of her 10-minute call with Jen, in which was “careful” of what she could say: “She sounds like she’s doing well. She sounds like she’s really working on herself. And I was glad to hear that.”