In the wake of one of reality television’s most shocking legal dramas, the Chrisley family continues to face emotional turmoil as matriarch Julie Chrisley adapts to life behind bars.
Now, her daughter, Savannah Chrisley, is pulling back the curtain and giving fans a heartfelt—and at times heartbreaking—glimpse into how her mother is coping with incarceration.
On a recent episode of her podcast, Unlocked With Savannah Chrisley, the 25-year-old Chrisley Knows Best alum painted a vivid and emotional portrait of Julie’s daily struggles,
her fears, and her efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy while serving her seven-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
“She sent me home 30 to 40 days’ worth of letters,” Savannah shared, her voice filled with emotion. “It was like her daily diary, basically.” These letters, which she plans to read aloud in a future podcast episode, offer a raw and personal account of Julie’s internal world—a world now confined behind prison walls.
A Mother’s Guilt, A Daughter’s Burden
Julie Chrisley, 50, and husband Todd Chrisley, 54, were sentenced in November 2022 after being convicted of multiple counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy. Todd is currently serving a 12-year sentence at FPC Pensacola, a minimum-security facility in Florida, while Julie navigates the challenges of incarceration hundreds of miles away from her husband.
Since their sentencing, Savannah has taken on the monumental responsibility of caring for her 16-year-old brother Grayson and 10-year-old niece Chloe. “My mom feels so much guilt,” Savannah admitted. “She carries this weight for the responsibility that’s been put on me while she and dad serve time. She didn’t want this life for us.”
The Chrisleys, once the faces of Southern family glamour on USA Network’s Chrisley Knows Best, have now been thrust into a very different spotlight—one defined by hardship, resilience, and the long road toward redemption.
Julie’s Fight to Stay Grounded
In the same podcast episode, Savannah described the coping mechanisms her mother is employing to survive prison life. “She’s just staying busy,” Savannah said. “She’s trying to do anything and everything—taking classes, being first at bat—everything known to man that she can do, she does.”
That fierce determination is nothing new to fans who’ve followed Julie’s journey. Known for her quiet strength and graceful demeanor, Julie has long been the emotional glue of the Chrisley household. But according to Savannah, prison has forced her mother to channel that strength into survival.
“She’s scared,” Savannah confessed, pausing to hold back tears. “Reading her letters was tough. Seeing the things she’s nervous about… all the thoughts that run through her mind—it’s heartbreaking. And not having my dad there with her is the hardest part.”
A Family Torn Apart
Todd and Julie’s separation during incarceration is more than just physical—it’s emotional. The once tightly bonded pair are enduring the unthinkable: navigating prison life without each other’s support. Julie, who described her own fears and efforts to stay strong during the final episode of the Chrisley Confessions podcast in December 2022, told listeners: “We have to live every day as if it’s our last. The difficulties I’m going through—how I handle it—my kids are watching.”
And watch they have. Savannah has stepped up in ways she never expected, not just as a caretaker, but as an emotional anchor for her entire family. “It’s a different kind of strength that’s required now,” she explained. “I have to be strong, because if I break, who’s going to be there for Grayson and Chloe?”
The Shield of a Mother’s Love
As the family’s legal crisis unfolded, Savannah revealed that her mother tried to protect her children from the harsh realities of their situation. “She tried to shield us from everything,” Savannah said. “Even when everything was crumbling, she was doing what she could to hold it all together. That’s who she is.”
Julie’s protective instincts, even in the face of personal despair, are a testament to the fierce love she holds for her children. And even now, locked away, she remains devoted—penning daily letters, offering advice, and trying to maintain some semblance of motherhood from behind bars.
A Changed Reality
The Chrisley family, once known for their over-the-top humor and extravagant Southern lifestyle, are now grappling with a starkly different reality. Their show may be off the air, but their story continues—one filled with courtrooms, prison visits, and the slow work of emotional healing.
For Savannah, the hardest part isn’t just the absence—it’s the waiting. “It’s the time,” she said. “The time that we’re losing. My mom and dad are here, but they’re not here. Every birthday, every milestone—it’s another moment we don’t get to share together.”
Still, in the face of overwhelming adversity, Savannah has become a pillar of strength. She continues to visit both parents, provide for her siblings, and fight to keep her family’s story alive. “My mom may be in prison, but she’s still teaching me every day—about resilience, love, and faith.”
The Fight Isn’t Over
Despite the convictions and the lengthy sentences, the Chrisley family has vowed not to give up. Both Todd and Julie are in the process of appealing their cases, and their children remain hopeful that justice will be reconsidered.
In the meantime, Julie continues her quiet battle within the prison walls—writing, learning, and staying strong in every way she can. “She’s doing what she’s always done,” Savannah said. “She’s being a mom, even when it feels impossible.”
And for Savannah, each letter is not just a message from prison—it’s a lifeline. A connection to the mother who raised her, guided her, and continues to fight for her family, even from behind bars.
