50
RHOSLC alum Jen Shah is opening up about her life behind bars as she reflects on her one-year anniversary of reporting to prison.
On February 17, 2023, Jen Shah reported to FPC Bryan Prison in Texas to serve a 5-year, 6-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her role in a nationwide telemarketing scheme.
Now, one year later, Jen Shah is reflecting on the past 12 months in prison and how it has changed her life.
She notes the role her faith, therapy, and fellow prison inmates have played in her life over the past year. The RHOSLC alum also gets candid about advice given to her by her husband, Sharrieff Shah.
Per PEOPLE, Jen Shah shared:
“I have been away from my family for one year. The depth of my pain is unrelenting and indescribable. However, throughout this painful process, God has substantially increased my humility, gratitude, and courage.
Upon entering FPC Bryan, I wholeheartedly believed that no one was suffering as badly as I was. I quickly recognized that so many women are here battling and overcoming circumstances far worse than mine. Their resilience inspires and truly humbles me.
Recognizing that God continues to bless me not withstanding my wretched and unpredictable surroundings; expressing sincere gratitude has been my most effective coping mechanism. Despair and depression are companions that strive to capture my undivided attention every single day. Praying five times a day helps keep these and other emotional serpents at bay. I am most grateful for the aspects of my life that have never left me: My Family and Faith. Thank you God.
In my daily prayers, I ask God for the courage to realize I am worthy of a second chance. Through the countless therapy sessions and classes I have taken, I am finding the courage to set my fear and guilt aside. My husband tells me every morning that I have to fight for my happiness. He said it takes unimaginable courage to smile, and find joy and laughter despite my circumstances.
This photo was taken nearly eight months after I surrendered. My husband’s advice finally settled into my heart and I found the courage to smile, find genuine joy and laughter by participating in a Barbie Hair Show Competition as “Adventure Barbie”. My Barbie team and I razzle-dazzled the Real Hair Updo category with a fully choreographed routine to Latto’s “Big Energy!” It brought me so much joy to put smiles on my fellow inmates faces. (And yes, we won our category.)
There is still so much I must learn while I am here at FPC Bryan, I am grateful God has given me a better foundation to appreciate his unwavering love and blessings to fight for that moment of happiness each day.“
The 50-year-old was arrested in March 2021 and was charged with charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Initally, Jen Shah maintained her innocence, but she eventually guilty plea in July 2022 as a part of a plea agreement. She was sentenced to 6.5 and a half years in prison, but that was reduced by a year in March 2023.
On top of that, Jen Shah also has to pay $6.5 million in restitution.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will return for season 5 in late 2024.
