Jen Shah Has 'Bonded' with Elizabeth Holmes in Prison: 'They're Friends,' Rep Says (Exclusive)

Months into starting her sentence at a federal prison in Texas, disgraced tech mogul Elizabeth Holmes has become “friends” with fellow inmate Jen Shah, according to the a rep for the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum.

“They’re friends. They’re both rehabilitating and have bonded over being on this journey of positive change,” the rep, Chris Giovanni, tells PEOPLE. “Their situations brought them together, and they have a good understanding of one another. They’re getting through it together.”

Holmes was convicted on fraud charges in January 2022, and sentenced to 11 years in prison in November. She began her sentence in May at Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, where Shah is serving time after pleading guilty to her role in the telemarketing conspiracy.

While behind bars, both women are subject to a daily, 6 a.m. wake-up call, according to the prison handbook. They are expected to keep their cells clean and sanitized and maintain a regular job assignment where inmates are paid between $0.23 and $1.15 for their work, PEOPLE reported previously.

Shah, 49, has taken a motherly role towards 38-year-old Holmes, especially after the Theranos founder gave birth to a daughter this year, Giovanni says.

“Jen’s given her a lot of advice. She’s even met Elizabeth’s baby and held her,” says Giovanni, who adds that Shah was “very loving” to Holmes and the newborn.

Holmes is also a regular at the fitness classes that Shah conducts, called “Sha-mazing Abs,” according to Giovanni.

“Jen gets all the ladies together and they rally behind her while she teaches them fitness moves, and Elizabeth has been there right along with them,” Giovanni adds.  

Shah is also tutoring other inmates hoping to earn a GED. According to Giovanni, both Holmes and Shah have “changed a lot behind bars.” 

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“Jen’s not anything like the show portrayed her to be. She’s so peaceful now,” Giovanni says. “She’s still funny and has her one-liners, but she’s graduated from anger management classes and is much more grounded.” 

Giovanni adds that Shah looks “phenomenal” and “reunion-ready," saying she’s drawing lessons from her experience about “being a better person.” 

Holmes' lawyer did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.