Federal Prison Camp Bryan: This is how Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes lives now

Former biotech entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes has been in Washington, D.C., Stanford University and Silicon Valley. Now, since May 31, 2023, the Theranos founder has been living somewhere very different: jail.

Holmes, who was sentenced to 11 years for fraud involving her pharmaceutical company Theranos, has been serving time at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas.

FPC Bryan is a minimum-security federal prison located 95 miles (153 kilometers) northwest of Houston.

Image: Kevin Hernandez / Unsplash

The BBC explains that the Federal Prison Camp houses about 500 inmates, all women, who have been convicted for non-violent crimes.

For instance, CNN Business highlights that one current inmate is Jennifer Shah, a cast member of ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’, is serving a sentence for being involved in a telemarketing fraud scheme.

Previously, Texas real estate realtor and January 6 rioter Jenna Ryan served a 60-day sentence at Camp Bryan.

According to the BBC, Holmes allegedly spent her last weeks of freedom in a rented home in San Diego, California, with her family.

The Theranos founder is married to Billy Evans, heir to a chain of luxury hotels in California. The couple currently have two children.

Holmes requested to remain free while appealing her conviction, something the judge refused.

CNN Business tells what life is like at FPC Bryan. Holmes, who used to wear black turtleneck sweaters, aping Steve Jobs, now will wear nothing but khaki shirts and matching pants. At least you don’t waste time thinking about what to wear!

The BBC points out that all inmates of FPC Bryan are expected to work and earn between 12 cents and 1.15 US dollars, mostly doing factory work or in the service industry.

This is a far cry for Holmes who, according to Forbes, at one point had a net worth of 4.5 billion US dollars.

Accommodations at FPC Bryan are described as typically consisting of dormitory-style arrangements with a four-bunk cell and communal bathroom installations.

Image: Tom Blackout / Unslpash

Luxury is uncommon at Camp Bryan. CNN Business remarks that, according to the prison’s handbook, only a plain wedding ring and a religious medallion without gems are allowed, as long as they cost less than 100 US dollars.

The prison’s handbook also states that Holmes can only keep in contact with her family through the phone or video calls, as cited by the BBC.

Inmates are allowed visitors on weekends and holidays, but with limited physical contact.

The BBC also comments on the different actions that can warrant disciplinary measures at Camp Bryan.

Picture: De an Sun / Unsplash

Some actions that are punishable include not keeping their cell clean, sleeping past the wake-up call at 6 am, or leaving during an official roll call, which happens five times a day.

Veteran lawyer of white-collar crime and former federal prosecutor Mark MacDougall told CNN that prison won’t be easy for someone like Holmes.

“I think people who talk about ‘Camp Fed’ have never actually been inside a federal correctional institution,” MacDougall said to CNN.

MacDougall believes that Holmes will probably volunteer to teach in some capacity. For someone who dropped out from Stanford at 19 to found her own company, one can't help but wonder if Elizabeth Holmes ended up believing her own mythology.