Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 28, 2025 · Entertainment

Behind Bars but in Love: Jen Shah's Bizarre Anniversary Celebration

SHAH SAGA: Jen's Prison Party Leaves Fans Cringing

In a bizarre display of marital bliss behind bars, Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah has been mocked by social media users after sharing photos of her 31st wedding anniversary celebration with husband Sharrieff Shah at the Bryan Federal Prison Camp in Texas.

The 51-year-old reality TV personality, who's serving out a 78-month sentence for wire fraud charges tied to a multimillion-dollar scheme that duped thousands of seniors, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share two sweet photos of herself and her husband celebrating their milestone anniversary. But instead of sparking a wave of congratulations from fans, the posts sparked a firestorm of criticism.

Jen Shah was mocked by by social media users after she revealed that her her husband, Sharrieff Shah, had joined her in prison to celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary

The first photo showed Jen posing in front of a white backdrop with pink and red paint splatters, holding a sparkly "XOXO" sign while Sharrieff held up a speech bubble with the word "Period." The caption read: "Happy 31st Anniversary today to me and my baby! Words cannot express how much I love and appreciate you. You bring so much joy to my life & I am forever thankful for your overwhelming love and support as we approach this next chapter."

But what was meant to be a romantic gesture quickly turned into a PR nightmare, with fans blasting Jen for the "embarrassing" display of marital bliss behind bars. One user bluntly put it: "How embarrassing." Another poster opined: "Your time in prison obviously hasn't humbled you."

The second photo showed the couple beaming at the camera in front of a metal gate, with Sharrieff embracing Jen and draping his hand over hers. Jen was dressed in her tan prison uniform, but added a touch of glamour with a pair of slim sunglasses.

The two posted together in front of a painted backdrop, and they looked affectionate in a second photo snapped outdoors and dated to July 6

The anniversary celebration comes after Jen received some good news: her release date has been bumped up to August 30, 2026, according to the Bureau of Prisons. She's still got a long way to go before she's free from behind bars, but it seems like she's trying to make the most of her time.

Jen's fans were quick to ask about her release date in the comments, but others took the opportunity to roast her for celebrating their anniversary in prison. One user joked that they thought the photos were a "period party" because of Sharrieff's sign. Several users blasted Jen for seemingly downplaying her crimes with her upbeat anniversary party.

"How the hell are you throwing parties in prison?" one fan wondered. Others were shocked that so many fans could want Jen to return to RHOSLC, while one poster wrote: "My guess is the grande dame isn't doing quite so well in prison."

It's no secret that Jen and Sharrieff have been through a lot together - but serving out their sentences behind bars might not be the most romantic way to celebrate 31 years of marriage. The couple was originally slated to be released in 2029, but thanks to good behavior, Jen's release date has been bumped up twice already.

So what's really going on behind those prison walls? Is Jen just trying to make the best of a bad situation, or is she actually enjoying her time in prison? We'll have to wait and see - but one thing's for sure: this saga is far from over.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF JEN SHAH'S CRIMES

For those who may not be familiar with Jen Shah's case, here's a quick rundown:

  • In March 2021, Jen was arrested for conspiring to defraud seniors with her assistant Stuart Smith as part of a multimillion-dollar scheme.
  • The Justice Department alleged that Shah and Smith tried to sell "essentially non-existent" services to at-risk individuals while trying to avoid their efforts to receive refunds.
  • Shah initially claimed she was innocent in court and during RHOSLC reunions, but later changed her tune and entered a guilty plea after Smith had admitted his role in the scheme and testified against her.
  • Jen was ordered to pay over $6.5 million in restitution as part of her sentence.

With her release date just around the corner, fans are eagerly awaiting Jen's return to RHOSLC - but will she be welcomed back with open arms? Only time will tell.

Many of her adoring fans inquired in the comments about when Jen would be released from prison, but others dropped by to mock her anniversary celebration

Several users blasted Shah for seemingly downplaying her crimes with her upbeat anniversary party

One person wondered, 'How the hell are you throwing parties in prison? ¿¿.'

Others were shocked that fans could want Jen back on the show in light of her crimes.

Jen's anniversary celebration comes after she got some good news about her sentence, according to the Bureau of Prisons. She is now set to be released on August 30, 2026, as first reported by Page Six

Shah has been at FPC Bryan since February 2023, when she began a 78-month sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges tied to a multimillion-dollar scheme that duped thousands of victims, many of whom were seniors; still from RHOSLC

In its indictment, the Justice Department said Shah and her assistant tried to sell 'essentially non-existent' services to at-risk individuals while trying to avoid their efforts to receive refunds, according to NBC News; still from RHOSCL reunion