Julie Chrisley Hopes 51st Birthday Is The Last She'll Spend In Prison
By Afouda Bamidele on January 9, 2024 at 1:45 PM EST
As Julie Chrisley turns 51, her birthday holds an unconventional wish — the hope that this marks her last celebration within prison walls.
The reality TV star and her husband Todd Chrisley, were found guilty of offenses related to bank fraud and tax evasion, and their daughter Savannah Chrisley has been outspoken about their plight during their joint sentence.
Julie Chrisley Yearns For Freedom By Next Birthday
As the popular family's matriarch stepped into a new year under challenging circumstances, she remains optimistic, fueled by the hope that this birthday might be her last spent within prison walls.
With the love of her family also serving as a steadfast source of strength, their attorney, Alex Little, shared insights into Julie's resilience, emphasizing her strength and determination to navigate the difficult situation.
According to Little, "Julie is strong and optimistic and certainly doesn't want to be behind bars for her birthday.” He also underscored his client's desire for freedom and a return to normalcy. In his own words, "She's hopeful that with the appeal, this will be the last birthday that she does spend on bars.”
To celebrate Julie's birthday, a source revealed to PEOPLE that she would receive a special visit at her Kentucky prison facility from her children Savannah and Grayson, and granddaughter Chloe.
Little also told the outlet that the scheduled date for the couple’s oral arguments was moved from March 2024 to April 2024. He described the complexity of the process, likening it to a “Supreme Court arguing with different judges.”
ICYMI, Julie, and Todd were sentenced in November 2022 for tax evasion and fraud, leading the mother-of-three to report to Federal Medical Center Lexington in January of the following year. However, during their time behind bars, they encountered various challenges, with Savannah shedding light on the vile conditions of her father's prison facility.
In the aftermath of Todd's interview about the deplorable living conditions endured by him and fellow inmates at the Pensacola Federal Prison Camp, Savannah disclosed the severe consequences he faced. Through a compelling Instagram post, the “Unlocked” podcast host directed sharp criticism at the prison warden, accusing them of attempting to transfer her father to another facility in response to the interview.
The prison administration reportedly viewed Todd's remarks as "inciting a riot" and a threat to "Institutional Safety.” Confirming the gravity of the situation, the 26-year-old explained, “The retaliation is real. It is heartbreaking for me to watch as his daughter, but they have even gone to the extent of stating that they will try to ship him to a state facility because our federal institutions cannot guarantee his safety.”
Despite facing accusations of dishonesty from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP), Savannah maintained her stance, confidently stating, “I have all the information to back it up. And these letters, I mean, I even have recordings of them speaking about shipping my father.”
Todd Chrisley's Spiritual Perspective Amidst Alleged Mistreatment
Despite the struggles of being in prison, Todd shared a profound belief that his time behind bars was part of a divine plan to assist fellow inmates. In October, the father-of-five reportedly redefined his perspective on imprisonment.
This newfound perspective drove the TV personality to actively work towards improving prison conditions from the inside, utilizing his time, energy, and resources.
Todd's attorney, Jay Surgent, disclosed that his client was making strategic efforts to implement programs and initiatives aimed at tackling the challenges within the prison system. All these were to ultimately seek to improve the overall well-being and tolerability of life for fellow inmates.
Despite allegedly enduring harsh conditions, Todd considered himself "blessed to have a platform where he can cast light on the issues he and other inmates face daily" at FPC Pensacola in Florida.
In an unexpected turn of events, Todd also took on the role of a financial educator within the prison walls. Savannah, disclosed on her podcast, that he was actively teaching financial classes as part of efforts to reduce his sentence.
“Trauma is one of them. I think another one was a financial class, which, how ironic?”
This surprising commitment to personal growth and community service showcased the 54-year-old’s determination to contribute positively to the lives of those around him.
