Chrisleys Break Silence on Prison Ordeal: 'Repulsive,' 'Frightening,' and Faith Forged Behind Bars
Television personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley have openly discussed their time spent behind bars.
Both Chrisleys were freed on May 28, 2025, following official pardons granted by President Donald Trump just one day before. They had initially been handed a combined 19-year sentence after being convicted of federal fraud and concealing assets from tax officials. Both individuals began their prison terms in January 2023. They consistently assert their lack of guilt.
Ever since their release, the couple has been candid about their real-life experiences in correctional facilities.
Below is a summary of what Todd and Julie Chrisley have said regarding their 28-month imprisonment.
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Life Behind Bars: 'Repulsive' and 'Frightening'
During a December 8 appearance on Chris Cuomo’s CUOMO program, Todd characterized the environment at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola as “appallingly unsanitary.”
“The provisions are old, expired by at least a year. They are quite literally depriving these men of sustenance,” he stated. “I’m uncertain of the exact amount, but these inmates are receiving only about 1,000 calories daily.”
“Rats and squirrels infest the food storage area,” Todd continued. “They merely covered up the issue with plastic before removing the ceiling due to extensive black mold, only to discover a deceased cat that fell onto the stored provisions.”
Julie, incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky, also found her prison time to be a “frightening” ordeal, as shared on the July 1 installment of her “Unlocked” podcast.
“I was housed in a satellite facility adjacent to a federal medical center, which accommodates inmates of all security classifications,” Julie explained. “Therefore, fences, razor wire, and security measures were present nearby. While not directly where I was, it was immediately next door.”
A Deepening of Spiritual Beliefs
At a press conference after his release, Todd light-heartedly referred to a “BOP glow.” He then detailed his activities while incarcerated, notably the strengthening of his Christian beliefs.
“Now that I’m free, I actually have better quality products available,” he clarified. “My routine consisted of reading and exercising. I trained daily from 10:45 AM until noon with my fellow inmates, and I read extensively, which deepened my spiritual connection. I communicated with my daughter, Chase, and Greyson daily, and exchanged emails with Julie every day. … Perhaps it’s just lingering Botox that never faded.”
The Reunion Proved Intense
Todd and Julie finally saw each other again after a two-year separation upon their respective releases on May 28.
“The moment was incredibly powerful,” Todd stated then. “Julie and I have shared over three decades together. She’s my closest confidante. We’ve co-parented our children, navigated life’s highs and lows, and even faced breast cancer as a team. It was wonderful to return home.”
Forging Connections
On the July 1 episode of his daughter Savannah’s “Unlocked” podcast, Todd disclosed that he formed strong bonds during his imprisonment.
Upon entering his cell on the initial day, he found “a collection of items spread across my bunk.”
“I had learned that accepting anything for free meant an obligation in return, and I’m past the age for warding off conflicts,” he elaborated, before explaining that a man named Jig provided him with the objects.
Jig informed Todd that he had received instructions to look after the television personality during his sentence.
“I replied, ‘I’m capable of managing on my own.’ He responded, ‘I have no doubt… But I still have my duties,’” Todd recounted. “From that moment on, Jig and I developed a close friendship.”
Julie, too, succeeded in cultivating friendships while incarcerated.
During the same podcast segment, she shared that the very first woman she encountered told her she would “despise” her time there.
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“Upon entering, I was immediately overwhelmed,” Julie recounted. “As I stepped inside, someone was there to guide me. Unbeknownst to me then, a woman led me to my room and a bed — a comfortable one, in fact — who would later become my bunkmate.”
She continued, “The experience was quite intense because people were constantly approaching, given I was new and recognizable. The initial days were genuinely overwhelming for me.”
Clarifying a Common Misunderstanding
On a September 2025 installment of the "Chrisley Confessions 2.0” podcast, Julie corrected the popular belief, stating she “was not” held at a medical institution.
“Lexington’s arrangement differed somewhat from other prisons. It wasn’t an independent camp. For women, Lexington serves as a satellite unit attached to the men’s penitentiary,” Julie clarified. “The women’s section is not a healthcare facility; it’s a labor camp.”
The Lingering ‘Reproach’ Following Freedom
“Despite receiving a complete and unconditional pardon, a certain prejudice persists,” Julie remarked during a September 2025 podcast episode. “I’m an intelligent, college-educated woman, yet what are my options? This cloud still hangs over me.”
Julie asserted that her time served should not “shadow” her indefinitely.
“Individuals who have been imprisoned, sometimes for years, are released with minimal rehabilitation and no practical abilities,” she added. “Then, they re-enter a society where they face exclusion and constant rejection.”
