Salt Lake City

• Jen Shah is facing 6.5 years in prison for her role in a fraud and telemarketing scheme, but is trying to keep a positive outlook.
• The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star detailed her time inside Bryan Federal Prison.
• Kashana, who’s nickname is Special K, also surrendered with me yesterday.

Jen Shah is struggling with the conditions in prison but is making an effort to maintain a positive attitude.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City actress wrote about her stay at Bryan Federal Prison Camp (FPC), where she is currently serving 6.5 years in prison for her part in a fraud and telemarketing operation, in her second journal entry of the week.

Shah, 47, wrote in Friday’s Instagram post, titled “Journal Entry #2,” “Kashana, whose nickname is Special K, also surrendered with me yesterday.”

She continued, “The first full day we kind of stuck together as we both walked in astonished, stunned, and afraid trying to figure out where we go from here. “On Saturdays, a brown bag breakfast is delivered to the common area of our apartment at 6 a.m. I didn’t wake up since I was so exhausted, but Special K got one for me.”
Then Shah explained her menu choices, which were very different from the opulent meals she was accustomed to.

“It contained a packet of instant oatmeal, an apple, two sachets of jelly, and one slice of wheat bread. I consumed the bread because I didn’t have a mug when a woman offered instant coffee in the common area.

“She composed, Because I won’t visit the commissary until next Tuesday, I put the apple and oatmeal packet in my locker. I can at least eat something if I am hungry.”

The reality star continued by expressing how emotionally draining it has been to be apart from her husband Sharrieff Sr., 52, and children Sharrieff Jr., 28, and Omar, 19.

“I cried silently sitting on my top bunk bed last night pretending to fall asleep reading a book, but in actuality my chest was hurting as if my heart had broken in a million pieces,” she wrote. “I laid in the dark alone with my thoughts of having to say goodbye to my family – to my sweet husband and boys.”

“Sharrieff’s face was seared in my thoughts, remembering Omar’s tears as I hugged him tight, Sharrieff Jr’s face on FT as I said goodbye to him from the SUV before we arrived at Bryan FPC,” she continued.

In addition to missing her family, Shah claimed that she has been spending her days coming to terms with her brand-new reality, which she finds difficult to accept.

“I assume this had to be a dream as I stare into the night, but here I am. I keep thinking that this is absurd, absurd, absurd “She composed. “How come I’m here? Even while I understand my purpose for being here, I can’t help but feel like I don’t belong. Never before have I run into difficulties.”

She continued, “Then I instantly stop myself from going down this self-destructive path of thinking. I am here because of my bad decisions. I am here because I did this to myself and there is no one to blame but me.”

“The pain and guilt I feel for creating victims, for doing this to my family – putting them through this ordeal the past 2 1/2 years. And their pain of having to watch me surrender yesterday, and now the beginning of what will be 78 months without me is crushing my soul,” Shah added.

With a sense of hope, Shah ended her second diary post by recalling how Special K had woken her up to let her know that their phone access codes (PACs), which are used to reach loved ones outside of jail, were now usable.

Shah stated, “I instantly spring up, grab my glasses, and stumble off the top bunk. “I quickly find my PAC# paperwork and call Special K to ask him to walk me through activating my PAC#. Earlier that morning, Special K had someone demonstrate how to do it for her. My pulse is quickening. My grip is trembling.”

“My eyes are watering at the notion of finally being able to call my hubby and hear his voice. I record my voice greeting, activate my PAC number, and set up the few contacts I could recall in the computer “She went on. I had to wait another 15 minutes before calling my hubby.

“The system states “you cannot make a call at this moment,” despite my three attempts. I’m trying not to lose patience or get angry, “Shah later on. “I need to practice concentrating on my own power. On days when I just want to see my husband and kids, I must keep in mind that I am not the only one going through this.”

Shah acknowledged that it’s challenging to stay upbeat and cheerful in the face of her current circumstances. “Tears are starting to well up in my eyes. I cry in the restroom where no one can see or hear me.”

Shah was arrested two years ago for conducting a massive telemarketing fraud scam, and he reported to prison on February 17 to begin serving his 6.5-year sentence. Stuart Smith, her assistant, admitted guilt in November 2021 even though she had initially pleaded not guilty in April 2021. Shah first proclaimed her innocence, but in July 2022, she changed her mind.

Shah’s lawyer Priya Chaudhry came out on her behalf in a statement to PEOPLE before she reported to prison.

The statement added, “Jen Shah’s commitment to make her victims whole and to turn her life around is unrelenting. “She is determined to complete her sentence with courage and determination because she wants to atone for the harm she has caused and give back to the people in her new neighborhood. Jen is determined to make amends for the people whose lives she has damaged, and she will overcome any challenge to make the best of her time behind bars.”

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