In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, former reality television star Jen Shah opened up about her time in prison, specifically regarding her interactions with Ghislaine Maxwell, the high-profile inmate and convicted sex trafficker. Shah, best known for her appearance on “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” expressed her decision to maintain distance from Maxwell during their incarceration at a federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas.
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Shah shared her perspective on Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. “I had limited interactions with her,” stated Shah, emphasising that this was a conscious choice on her part. She was released from the facility in December 2025 and is now serving the remainder of her sentence under home confinement due to good behaviour.
Interestingly, while Shah distanced herself from Maxwell, she formed a friendship with fellow inmate Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, who is also serving time for fraud and conspiracy. Shah noted, “Lizzie and I are good friends,” explaining that two high-profile prisoners often bond over their shared experiences. However, both women were reported to have avoided Maxwell, particularly after hearing her dismissive comments about her victims.
Shah expressed her strong feelings about Maxwell’s apparent lack of remorse, stating, “I just feel like there should be a level of remorse for the victims.” According to Shah, Maxwell showed “complete disregard” during moments when victims were being highlighted in the media or speaking out publicly.
Reflecting on one such moment, Shah recounted seeing Maxwell’s indifference while victims were testifying and pleading for their stories to be acknowledged. “To be so dismissive of that? That just didn’t sit with me the right way,” Shah remarked, indicating how seriously she takes the issue of accountability for the victims of crimes.
In addition to their differing attitudes towards accountability, Shah accused Maxwell of receiving preferential treatment in prison. She highlighted some of the privileges afforded to Maxwell that were not available to other inmates, including access to private workout sessions and special meal arrangements. “She was treated very well there,” Shah claimed, indicating that such advantages were blatant to those around her. Shah, who previously worked in recreation, suggested that Maxwell was able to bypass standard legal procedures that other inmates had to follow.
In response to these claims, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons affirmed that the agency is committed to maintaining integrity and impartiality within its facilities. They stated that allegations of preferential treatment are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. “Staff are required to treat all inmates equitably,” the spokesperson added, ensuring that any deviations from this policy would result in disciplinary actions.
Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, did not respond to requests for comment from PEOPLE regarding Shah’s allegations. Since her arrest by the FBI in July 2020, Maxwell has faced a tumultuous journey through the legal system, including her 2021 conviction on multiple sex trafficking charges and a 20-year prison sentence. Following a brief stint in a higher-security facility, Maxwell was transferred to the Bryan Camp in July 2025.
Shah, who was sentenced to 78 months in prison for her involvement in a telemarketing fraud scheme, has expressed regret for her actions and has focused on making amends. With nearly three years served and a commitment to paying back victims, she offered a candid apology, stating, “I’d like to say that I’m sorry and I’m here and accepting responsibility.”
As Shah moves forward in her journey, her reflections on her time in prison and her encounters with Maxwell reveal complexities concerning accountability, rehabilitation, and the pursuit of justice for victims. Her story serves as a reminder of the ongoing discussions surrounding high-profile criminal cases and the responsibilities of those who have strayed from the path.
For further updates on Shah and more exclusive stories, readers are encouraged to pick up the latest edition of PEOPLE magazine, available in stores this week.