Julie Chrisley Speaks Out on ‘Unsafe’ Prison Conditions and Health Crisis After Release

Reality television star Julie Chrisley is breaking her silence after serving more than two years in federal prison, describing a harrowing ordeal that she says left her health in shambles and her family emotionally scarred. In a joint interview with her husband Todd Chrisley for Nightline and the Hulu special Life After Lockup, Julie revealed that unsafe prison conditions at the facility where she was held were directly responsible for her deteriorating health.

“I never felt unsafe that someone would harm me,” Julie said. “I felt unsafe because of the conditions.”

The Chrisleys—who rose to fame through the hit USA Network reality show Chrisley Knows Best—were convicted on multiple financial crimes in 2022, including bank fraud and tax evasion. The couple was sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison, though both were granted full pardons by former President Donald Trump in May.

According to Julie, the prison facility she was housed in was a former military base repurposed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), yet it was far from habitable. “There was black mold, asbestos, lead-based paint. The air conditioning barely worked, ice machines would break and never get fixed, and the food was rotting. The windows were screwed shut.”

Julie claims that her health, which was stable before incarceration, took a sharp downturn. “I developed asthma and have horrible breathing issues that I never had going in. I could see my health deteriorating.”

Todd echoed her concerns, revealing the extreme conditions he experienced as well. “They were serving men food with labels that were nine years old. I survived on canned tuna and peanut butter from the commissary.” He also criticized the medical care provided behind bars, saying, “If something ever happens to me, take me to the local veterinarian because I think I’ll get better care there.”

While the couple claims their time behind bars was marred by neglect and psychological stress, they found ways to survive. Todd leaned on physical fitness and routine to cope. “I got up, showered, shaved, dressed, and worked out. It was my saving grace. It kept me sane.”

He even took on unexpected roles, like driving a forklift and maintaining a strict fitness regimen. “I stayed busy every day. I knew I was getting out and needed to keep my body and mind active.”

Now that they’re free, the Chrisleys are wasting no time getting back into the public eye. The family has launched a new reality series on Lifetime, documenting their journey post-incarceration. “We started filming literally the night we got home,” Todd said. “You’ll see the moment Julie and I saw each other again for the first time. It was emotional.”

That reunion, shared by their 29-year-old son Chase Chrisley, was one of the most emotional moments the family has faced. “They both burst into tears. My dad wrapped his arms around my mom and I don’t think he’s let go since.”

While some fans have taken note of the couple’s unexpectedly youthful appearance—dubbed the “BOP glow-up”—the family insists it came from a place of discipline, not ease. “He looks like he hasn’t aged a day,” Chase joked. “But there’s going to be some PTSD. That glow came at a cost.”

The couple also spoke about the painful communication barriers they faced while incarcerated. “They weren’t allowed to talk on the phone, and even emails were delayed for weeks by the BOP,” Chase explained. “My dad might send an email, and my mom wouldn’t get it for two or three weeks.”

Despite everything they endured, the Chrisleys appear determined to rebuild their lives and reclaim their story. Their new show promises to offer an unfiltered look at the family’s post-prison reality—including the trauma, the healing, and the public scrutiny that never quite went away.

“We’re home,” Julie said. “We’re together. And we’re not hiding anything.”

With their past still looming and their future once again unfolding on national television, the Chrisleys are betting on resilience—and the cameras are rolling.