'RHSLC' star Jen Shah says the ‘depth of my pain is unrelenting’ as she reflects on a year in prison
BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS: Former 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Jen Shah has opened up about her life in prison where she has been serving time for her involvement in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme.
In an interview with People, Shah revealed how she has been coping with the separation from her family, the challenges of her surroundings, and the hope for a better future.
Jen Shah’s prison sentence and guilty plea
Jen Shah, 50, reported to FPC Bryan Prison in Texas on February 17, 2023, to begin her five-year, six-month prison sentence.
She was arrested in March 2021 along with her assistant Stuart Smith for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
They were accused of targeting vulnerable people, mostly seniors, in a long-running scam that spanned over several states.
Shah initially pleaded not guilty and tried to get the charges dismissed, but later changed her plea to guilty in July 2022.
She was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison but had a year shaved off in March 2023. At her sentencing, she apologized to the victims and said she was doing everything she could to pay restitution.
“I am sorry. My actions have hurt innocent people,” she said, adding “I want to apologize by saying, I am doing all I can to earn the funds to pay restitution.”
Jen Shah details emotional struggle and spiritual growth in prison a year on
One year after entering prison, Shah said she was still in “unrelenting and indescribable” pain, but also grateful for the lessons she had learned.
She said she had gained more humility, gratitude, and courage through her faith in God, who had blessed her despite her “wretched and unpredictable surroundings.”
She also said she had been inspired by the resilience of other women in prison who were facing worse circumstances than hers.
Shah said she had been praying five times a day to keep despair and depression at bay, and thanked God for her family and faith, which had never left her.
“I have been away from my family for one year. The depth of my pain is unrelenting and indescribable," she said.
"However, throughout this painful process, God has substantially increased my humility, gratitude, and courage,” she added.
“Recognizing that God continues to bless me notwithstanding my wretched and unpredictable surroundings; expressing sincere gratitude has been my most effective coping mechanism,” Shah continued.
Jen Shah’s quest for happiness and redemption
Jen Shah said she was asking God for the courage to realize she was worthy of a second chance and that she was working on overcoming her fear and guilt.
Shah said her husband, Sharrieff Shah, had been supportive and encouraging, telling her to fight for her happiness and find joy and laughter despite her situation.
“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,” she said.
She also said she was taking therapy sessions and classes to improve herself, and that she had a lot to learn while in prison.
Shah said she was thankful for God’s unwavering love and blessings, and that she was striving for that moment of happiness each day.
“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,” she said.
“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,” she added.
