Julie and Todd Chrisley, who are famous for their smash reality show Chrisley Knows Best, are now figuring out what to do with their lives after getting out of federal jail. The couple says they are innocent even though they were found guilty of federal bank fraud and tax evasion. President Donald Trump pardoned them in May 2025, which meant they were released right away after serving just over two years in prison.
Julie and Todd said something shocking on a recent edition of their Chrisley Confessions 2.0 podcast: life outside of prison is worse than life inside.
Julie Chrisley's life after prison is harder than her time in prison. Her honest stories show how hard it is emotionally to reintegrate. #JulieChrisley #LifeAfterPrison
The Chrisleys are back: Getting used to life outside of jail
In January 2023, Todd Chrisley, 56, and Julie Chrisley, 52, began their sentences. Todd was sent to Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, and Julie was sent to Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky. Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, helped get them out of jail by speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Problems with readjusting
Because they got a complete presidential pardon, the Chrisleys were "thrown right back into the real world" when they got out of jail. This meant they didn't have to go to probation or a halfway home. Julie is feeling "emotionally overloaded" because of this quick reintegration. She said that other women who have been freed from prison feel the same way.
Todd talked on how prison life is different from life outside. He said that prison conditions are "horrific" from a physical point of view, but the emotional and mental strain of daily living is worse. He said that he slept better in prison because the "Chrisley Clan" wasn't around to keep him awake.
Julie talks about her time in prison in Inside the Walls.
People are interested in Julie's stay at FMC Lexington. At first, she was silent, but as time went on, she became more gregarious and even got the nickname "card shark" from other convicts.
Emotional Cost vs. Physical Cost
Julie said that while she was in prison, she was told not to "live out there and in here at the same time" so she wouldn't go "crazy." She said that the longer someone is in jail, the less they are connected to the outside world.
Daily Routines and Ways to Deal
Julie had to think about herself while in prison to make sure she was well in body, mind, spirit, and emotions. She said that being in prison makes it hard to regulate your mind.
Different Experiences with Todd
It seems that Todd's time in prison was very different from Julie's. He said he could get fast food like Chick-fil-A, Burger King, and pizza, and he even had a "chef" who created his food. Julie, on the other hand, said she didn't eat any outside food during her 28 months. Todd also said he read 116 books and worked on his spirituality and fitness.
Julie Chrisley talks about how hard it is to get back into the world after being in prison. A strong reminder of the challenges we can't see. #ChrisleyConfessions #RealityCheck
How being in prison affected the Chrisley family dynamics
Since Todd and Julie got out, the family has had to make a "big adjustment." Savannah Chrisley is now the legal guardian of her younger siblings, Grayson and Chloe. She has talked about how hard it is for the family to make ends meet.
Savannah's Job and Help
Savannah has been very open about her parents' return, even talking about how it made her feel. She has also talked about the money problems she had, such having to pay three mortgages and legal bills.
Lindsie's New Path to Freedom
Lindsie Chrisley, Todd's oldest daughter from a previous marriage, recently changed her last name on social media to "Landsman," which is her boyfriend's last name. She said that this choice was about "reclaiming her peace" and moving forward into a future that wasn't defined by the "problematic" Chrisley name, which she says caused more problems than it solved.
Grayson and Chase's Change
Like Savannah, Grayson and Chase have been dealing with their parents being gone and then coming back. Chase wants Chrisley Knows Best to come back because he thinks there is still an audience for the show's humor and family relationships.
The Chrisley Confessions 2.0: Important Lessons and Plans for the Future
The Chrisley Confessions 2.0 podcast is a place for Todd and Julie to talk about their lives and how people see them.
Podcast's Most Important Points
The pair has been open about how hard it is to get back to normal living, including running a household. They also dealt with speculations regarding their marriage and Julie's health.
How the podcast affected people and what they thought of it
The podcast's goal is to connect with its audience by telling unedited experiences and answering their questions.
Julie Chrisley is telling her unvarnished truth, going from federal jail to a podcast microphone. What does her adventure entail for the future of the Chrisley family? #FamilyFirst #ToddAndJulieChrisley
The Trump Pardon: A Closer Look at Their Release
In May 2025, President Trump let Todd and Julie Chrisley go free.
What the Pardon Means for the Law
The pardon followed a long court battle that started in 2019 when they were charged with conspiring to cheat community banks out of more than $30 million in loans and the IRS. Prosecutors said they used phony papers to get loans for expensive things and lied about their income to avoid paying taxes. The pardon makes the matter go away as if it never happened.
How People Reacted to the Pardon
The pardon has caused a lot of talk in the public, with some people wondering if the legal system is fair to people who have money. The Chrisleys' lawyers said they were targeted because they were well-known and had conservative beliefs.
The Chrisleys' pardon set them free, but it also brought its own set of problems. Julie Chrisley's insights show that the adjustment period was hard. #ChrisleyUpdates #TrumpPardon
What will Julie Chrisley do next? Future Ventures and How People See Them
The Chrisley family is back on reality TV with a new Lifetime show called The Untitled Chrisleys Project. This new show will give a more "raw" and "emotionally grounded" view of their life after their parents' public downfall.
Possible Return to Reality TV
The family is already filming their next show, even though Chrisley Knows Best finished in March 2023. This new initiative wants to portray a "much bigger story" and may look at themes of pain, healing, and rebuilding.
Business Plans and Money Matters
The Chrisleys were first told to pay back about $17.8 million, but that amount has since been cut down to $4.7 million. Savannah has said that she works in real estate to make ends meet, which shows that the family is still making changes to their finances.
Julie Chrisley's tale is one of strength, faith, and the quest for normalcy that never ends. Many people are moved by her honesty. #JulieChrisleyStory #Motivation