Elizabeth Holmes describes her life in prison as ‘hell and torture’: ‘I’m not the same person I was back then’

“Human beings are not made to be in cells,” she said, adding, “Theranos failed. But failure is not fraud.”

Elizabeth Holmes is sharing a glimpse at her life at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. The former CEO talked about her struggles and how she feels during her time in prison away from her kids, 3-year-old William and 2-year-old Invicta, and her romantic partner, 33-year-old Billy Evans.

Holmes sat down for an interview with People, following a visit from her kids at the detention center. “The people I love the most have to walk away as I stand here, a prisoner, and my reality sinks in,” she said to the publication.

The former CEO explained that she is “not the same person,” she was “back then,” referring to her time building her now-failed company Theranos. “There are things I would have done differently,” she admitted.

“It’s surreal. People who have never met me believe so strongly about me. They don’t understand who I am. It forces you to spend a lot of time questioning belief and hoping the truth will prevail,” Holmes explained. I am walking by faith and, ultimately, the truth.”

Describing her experience in prison and the legal battle, Holmes said that has “been hell and torture to be here.” She also talked about the fraud trial and how she has been processing the consequences of the verdict.

“First it was about accepting it happened,” she said. “Then it was about forgiving myself for my own part. [And] I refused to plead guilty to crimes I did not commit. Theranos failed. But failure is not fraud,” Holmes explained.

“Human beings are not made to be in cells,” she said to the publication. “It goes so far beyond understanding. I’m trying really hard not to tear up right now. I’m trying to grow, as every moment matters. And if one person’s life can be touched trying to help them in a crisis, it matters.”

Holmes’ routine in prison starts at 5 a.m. The former CEO “eats fruit for breakfast, then does a 40-minute daily workout—lifting weights, rowing, and running on a track,” People reports. “By 8 a.m. she’s at the education building, earning 31 cents an hour as a reentry clerk, helping women slated for release to write résumés and prepare to apply for tax credits and other government benefits.”

She works as a law clerk in prison, teaches French to other inmates, and helps women. “So many of these women don’t have anyone, and once they’re in there, they’re forgotten,” she said.