Jen Shah Scores The Perfect Gift From Bureau Of Prisons Ahead Of The Holiday Season

Christmas came early for "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah. The reality star, sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in January 2023 for her role in a nationwide telemarketing scheme, will be released far earlier than expected. Shah, who starred in the Utah iteration of the hit reality show for three seasons before departing for prison, expressed gratitude for the BOP's decision through her lawyer, who also shared that the polarizing TV personality has changed for the better since being behind bars.

According to a recent report from PEOPLE, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has approved a December 10 release date for Shah, who's currently serving her sentence at Federal Prison Camp (FCP) in Bryan, Texas. Shah was initially sentenced to almost seven years in prison after pleading guilty to her role in a telemarketing scheme that targeted elderly victims.

Shah's lawyer, Chris Giovanni, relayed her gratitude for the BOP's decision to release her early, noting the special timing given the upcoming holiday season in the United States.

Since her incarceration, "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" fans have heard from Shah a handful of times through her representatives or family members. Giovanni shared that Shah's last two years in prison have been transformative for the mother of two, adding that she's in a "really positive, hopeful place mentally."

According to Giovanni, Shah, who feuded with most of her co-stars throughout the first three seasons of "RHOSLC," has changed for the better, crediting the internal work she's done. "She's done a lot of reflecting and real growth during her time away, and is genuinely not the same woman as she was before," he said.

Shah's primary focus once she's released from federal custody will be her two sons, her husband, Sharrieff Shah, and her health and well-being, according to Giovanni. "She understands the seriousness of the mistakes she made and is excited to put this chapter behind her so that she can show everyone the woman she's worked hard to become," he continued.

Shah pleaded guilty to being a key leader in a national telemarketing scheme that targeted thousands of innocent people.

"Many of SHAH’s victims were elderly or vulnerable. Many of those people suffered significant financial hardship and damage. At SHAH’s direction, victims were defrauded over and over again until they had nothing left. She and her co-conspirators persisted in their conduct until the victims’ bank accounts were empty, their credit cards were at their limits, and there was nothing more to take," a press release from the Department of Justice reads.

In court, Shah said she was guilty of "wire fraud, offering services with little to no value" before revealing the most chilling part of it all.

"We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55," she said.

The news of Shah's prison release comes just days after BravoCon 2025 concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring some of the most iconic Bravolebs of all time. After the event, the chairman of Bravo and Peacock Unscripted, Frances Berwick, spoke with Variety about the possibility of bringing certain Housewives back to the popular franchise, including Kenya Moore and NeNe Leakes.

Berwick acknowledged there's a chance those two powerhouse stars could return to the network, but for Shah, the outlook didn't seem as promising. In fact, Berwick told the publication that her actions were unforgivable. In another interview with Variety, "RHOSLC" frontwoman Heather Gay said something similar: "I mean, Andy said he never wanted to see her again, so he kind of answered that for all of us."

Shah isn't the only "Real Housewives" star to be released from federal custody this year, as Karen Huger from the Potomac-based series was released in September 2025. According to an earlier report from The Blast, Huger was sentenced to a year in federal prison after being found guilty of her fourth DUI.

Huger missed the entire 10th season of Potomac, which is currently airing on Bravo. However, she filmed a sit-down with Cohen shortly after her release that will be shown during the season finale in the coming weeks. "It's time to talk about my addiction," Huger said in the clip.

Bravo released a statement about the "deeply personal" interview with Huger, revealing that it "unveils a never-before-seen side of Karen where she shares her plans for the next chapter of her life after her release and provides a vulnerable look behind her Grande Dame exterior."