After spending over two years behind bars, Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are now free — but they say rejoining the outside world has brought its own set of unexpected challenges.
In the latest episode of their Chrisley Confessions 2.0 podcast released on July 23, the couple opened up about how adjusting to life post-prison has been surprisingly more difficult than incarceration itself.
Life After Prison: More Stressful Than Expected
Julie, 52, and Todd, 56, were released in May 2025 after receiving unconditional pardons from former President Donald Trump.
While the couple is grateful to be free and reunited with their children, they both admit that everyday life has been more emotionally draining than life behind bars.
“Life is rougher than prison life,” Todd said.
“That’s a sad thing to say… but from an emotional and psychological standpoint, it is harder dealing with day to day.”
Julie agreed, saying that several of her former fellow inmates have shared the same feeling.
“We all have this general consensus that… it’s kind of weird to even say it… but it’s rougher now.”
Why Life Feels Tougher After Release
Julie explained that one of the reasons life in prison, while physically harsh, was more manageable mentally was because there was no control over anything. That lack of responsibility for the outside world, in a strange way, allowed her to focus on surviving in the moment.
“You can’t live out there and in here at the same time,” she said. “It’ll literally run you crazy.”
She also shared that as time passed, the emotional pain of being separated from her children — Savannah, Grayson, Chase, and Chloe — dulled slightly as she adapted to prison life and focused solely on her own well-being.
“It doesn’t mean you don’t miss them… but I had to just watch out for me,” she recalled. “That’s how you have to survive in there.”
Now, thrown back into real life without any halfway house transition, probation, or restrictions, both Todd and Julie said it feels like they’ve been instantly dropped back into full responsibility mode — with no gradual easing in.
A Look Back at Their Legal Saga
Todd and Julie’s return to freedom comes after a highly publicized legal battle. In November 2022, the couple was convicted on 12 counts of financial crimes including tax evasion, wire fraud, and conspiracy. Together, they were sentenced to a combined 19 years in federal prison.
Their sentences were slightly reduced in 2023, and they later filed appeals.
While Todd’s appeal was eventually upheld, Julie’s conviction was initially overturned due to insufficient evidence — though a judge later reinstated her sentence. Then in May 2025, they received full pardons, ending their time behind bars and all legal consequences.
Grateful but Struggling
Despite the emotional challenges of adjusting to post-prison life, Todd expressed deep gratitude to former President Trump for granting them pardons.
“We didn’t have to go to a halfway house,” Julie added. “We don’t have to answer to a probation officer. We’re not limited as to where we can go.”
Still, the sudden leap from a highly controlled environment to full freedom — while a blessing — has left them feeling overwhelmed.
“We were thrown right back into the real world,” Julie said.
Todd and Julie Chrisley’s story shows that freedom doesn’t always come with instant relief. While they are legally free and back with their family, the emotional toll of readjusting to regular life after prison is proving to be a new kind of struggle.
As they continue sharing their journey on their podcast, the Chrisleys are opening up about the lesser-discussed realities of life after incarceration — not just for celebrities, but for anyone trying to rebuild after time behind bars.
