Julie Chrisley’s 28 months in prison apparently led to some health issues.
“Listen, I have a lung condition from being in prison,” Julie, 52, revealed during the Wednesday, July 30, episode of the “Chrisley Confessions 2.0” podcast. “You will probably notice me at certain times trying to get, like, a breath.”
Julie and Todd, 56, claimed her lung issue was because of all the “black mold” and “asbestos” she was allegedly surrounded by in prison. (Julie was held at FMC Lexington in Kentucky.)
“That’s something that we’re having to address right now,” Todd told listeners about his wife’s health. “This week, you have a doctor’s appointment with a pulmonary specialist that’s gonna do some tests on you.”
Julie Chrisley Says Her Health Was ‘Deteriorating’ in Prison
Further details about Julie’s health were not discussed. The Federal Bureau of Prisons did not comment specifically on the conditions of the prison where Julie was held. However, they did offer a statement to Us Weekly on Wednesday.
“It is the mission of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to operate facilities that are safe, secure and humane,” the statement read. “We take seriously our duty to protect the individuals entrusted in our custody, as well as maintaining the safety of our employees and the community. Humane treatment of the men and women in our custody is a top priority.”
Both Todd and Julie spent 28 months in prison after being convicted on tax evasion along with bank and wire fraud charges in 2022. They were released in May after being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
While Julie was being held in Kentucky, Todd was placed at FPC Pensacola in Florida. The two claimed during Wednesday’s podcast episode that they weren’t allowed to contact each other while behind bars.
The couple were answering fan questions when one person asked, “How often did Todd and Julie speak during their prison time?”
Julie noted that they “didn’t” speak on the phone at all, rather opting for email, which was “sporadic at best” during their stay.
“Now, I would’ve spoken with you, but what people don’t realize is that you are going to abide by the rules,” Todd said. “Me? I’m going to do what I need to do to make sure that I stay in touch with the people that I love. Y’all can read into that whatever you want to.”
Julie explained further, saying, “We did not get to speak all. There is something in prison that if married couples are both incarcerated, both of the wardens have to give an approval to be able to get one phone call a month. My warden approved it, your warden did not.”
Todd claimed that he was being punished because his warden was “caught up in so much corrupt behavior” and their daughter Savannah Chrisley “had exposed it” publicly. (Us Weekly has reached out to the prison for comment.)
“That warden has now been let go. She’s out. She’s no longer gonna be a warden anymore,” Todd said before returning to the phone call conversation. “She refused [to approve the calls]. She came to me and she said, ‘Well, it’s not on my end. It’s on, it’s on your wife’s end.’”
Julie chimed in, adding, “We did not actually get to speak. That’s horrible. That was the worst, one of the worst parts of it, you know.”
Everything Todd and Julie Chrisley Have Said About Their 28 Months in Prison
The BOP shared a statement with Us on Wednesday regarding Todd’s allegations about the warden.
“Let me be clear: those who wear the Bureau of Prisons uniform are held to the highest standards. The men and women who show up every day, break their backs, and do the hard, honest work of corrections — they have my respect and are the backbone of the Bureau,” BOP Director William K. Marshall III shared. “But those who abuse their position, who treat inmates or their fellow employees with anything less than the dignity and integrity I would expect my kids to be treated with, the type this profession demands — they are not BOP employees in my eyes. By their actions, they have forfeited that title. When someone crosses that line, they are no longer upholding our mission — they’re undermining it.”
Marshall noted that he was appointed to “to lead this agency with strength and an unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency and real criminal justice reform.”
“That mission demands more than words — it demands action. So, when I receive credible information that someone in this agency is engaging in misconduct — whether it’s abuse, corruption or a failure to uphold the standards we live by — I will act,” the statement continued. “I will use every authority, every tool and every ounce of influence I have to ensure those individuals are held accountable — and will do so publicly to send a clear message — if you dishonor the uniform, you will be held accountable. Full stop.”
Marshall concluded: “The 99 percent of staff who are doing the right thing every single day deserve a Bureau that reflects their integrity, not one overshadowed by the misconduct of a few.”
