Jen Shah Details Bonding With Elizabeth Holmes Over 'Poop Duty' in Prison

The former 'Real Housewives' star opened up about her friendship with the Theranos founder during their time behind bars.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After being released from prison in December, Jen Shah detailed her nearly three-year stay at Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, including the close bond she formed with fellow high-profile inmate Elizabeth Holmes. Shah revealed that the two were assigned to "poop duty" together, a punishment that involved sitting in the communal bathroom to monitor cleanliness, which she said brought them closer. Shah also noted that she and Holmes would take evening walks together and have "deep conversations" about missing their families and the difficulties of prison life.

Why it matters

Jen Shah and Elizabeth Holmes' unlikely friendship highlights the shared experiences and challenges faced by high-profile inmates, even those convicted of vastly different crimes. Their bond over the mundane yet humiliating "poop duty" task illustrates how even the most disparate individuals can find common ground and support in the isolating environment of prison.

The details

According to Shah's interview, she and Holmes were both assigned to "poop duty" at the federal prison camp, a punishment that required them to sit in the communal bathroom and monitor the cleanliness after each use. Shah described it as a "low point," saying, "You're literally just sitting there in the bathroom so you can imagine the smells and everything going on for poop duty." Despite the unpleasant nature of the task, Shah said it helped bring her and Holmes closer together, as they would also take evening walks and have "deep conversations" about missing their families and the difficulties of prison life.

  • Jen Shah was released from prison in December.
  • Elizabeth Holmes is serving just over 11 years for defrauding investors of her defunct health startup Theranos.

The players

Jen Shah

A former cast member of the reality TV show "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" who served three years of an initially six-year sentence for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Elizabeth Holmes

The founder of the defunct health startup Theranos, who is currently serving over 11 years in prison for defrauding investors.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Lizzie and I are good friends. When you come through as a high profile, there are certain things that you are both dealing with naturally and you come together in those instances.”

— Jen Shah

“We both got assigned to poop duty together, so I feel like when you do poop duty with someone, you're going to be close.”

— Jen Shah

“There's a lot of heartache when you're in prison. So just being that sounding board for each other where you can be like, 'Hey, I just need to walk and cry' and just having someone there who understood you.”

— Jen Shah

The takeaway

Jen Shah and Elizabeth Holmes' unlikely friendship in prison highlights how even the most disparate individuals can find common ground and support in the isolating environment of incarceration, bonding over shared experiences like the humiliating "poop duty" task they were assigned.