RHOBH's Jen Shah reveals why she avoided Ghislaine Maxwell in prison and bonded with Elizabeth Holmes instead. Exclusive details on her incarceration.
- April 3, 2026
AceShowbiz - Jen Shah, former star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, recently opened up about her time in federal prison and the inmates she deliberately kept her distance from. Shah, who was released from a federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, in December 2025 and is currently serving the remainder of her sentence under home confinement, revealed she intentionally avoided fellow inmate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Shah told PEOPLE that her interactions with Maxwell were limited by choice. "I had limited interactions with her," she stated. The decision, according to Shah, was not primarily motivated by Maxwell’s high-profile reputation but rather by the nature of Maxwell’s attitude towards victims connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
In contrast, Shah developed a close friendship with another high-profile inmate, Elizabeth Holmes, the former Theranos executive incarcerated for fraud. Jen Shah described their bond, saying, "Lizzie and I are good friends. As another high-profile prisoner, there are just certain things you're both dealing with."
Shah explained that she and Elizabeth Holmes distanced themselves from Maxwell after hearing about comments Maxwell allegedly made regarding the victims, which suggested a lack of remorse. Shah emphasized, "I just feel like there should be a level of remorse for the victims. She made it very publicly known that there's no remorse there."
Additionally, Jen Shah accused Maxwell of receiving preferential treatment while incarcerated, including private workouts, bottled water, and special meals. However, the Bureau of Prisons issued a statement denying these claims, asserting that all inmates are treated equally. The agency warned that any staff member found providing special privileges to inmates could face disciplinary action, termination, or criminal prosecution under federal law and prison policies.
This insight into the prison dynamics among some of the most well-known inmates highlights the complexities of incarceration for high-profile figures and the interpersonal boundaries they set during confinement.
