You remember the headlines. It was 2022, and the world of reality TV was rocked when the "perfectionist" patriarch Todd Chrisley and his wife Julie were handed nearly two decades of combined prison time. They looked invincible on screen. Then, suddenly, they were reporting to federal facilities in January 2023. Fast forward to today, January 2026, and the landscape has shifted so dramatically that it feels like a plot twist even a reality producer couldn't have scripted.
Chrisley knows best jail time was supposed to be a long-term reality. Todd was facing 12 years. Julie was looking at seven. But if you’re looking for them in a prison cell today, you won’t find them. In a move that stunned legal analysts and delighted their massive fanbase, the Chrisleys are no longer behind bars.
The Turning Point: May 2025
Everything changed on May 27, 2025. After years of relentless advocacy by their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, who basically became a full-time lobbyist for her parents, President Donald Trump granted both Todd and Julie a full presidential pardon.
It wasn't just a reduction in time. It was a complete erasure of their remaining sentences. By May 28, 2025, Todd was walking out of FPC Pensacola in Florida, and Julie was leaving FMC Lexington in Kentucky. They had served roughly 28 months.
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Savannah had been banging the drum for years about "inhumane" prison conditions—claims of no air conditioning and mold—and she used her platform to get the attention of the highest levels of government. Honestly, it worked. Trump even mentioned to the family that he felt they had been "unfairly targeted."
The Legal Rollercoaster Before the Pardon
Before the pardon wiped the slate clean, the legal battle was a mess. You’ve probably heard about Julie’s resentencing in late 2024. That was a weird moment. An appeals court actually vacated her original seven-year sentence because they couldn't find enough evidence that she was involved in the bank fraud scheme as early as the prosecution claimed.
Everyone thought she was coming home then.
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But in September 2024, Judge Eleanor Ross—the same judge who did the original sentencing—stuck to her guns. She handed Julie the exact same seven-year sentence again. It was a crushing blow. The judge basically said that even if the timeline was slightly off, the "journey of fraud" was so extensive it didn't change the punishment.
What People Often Get Wrong About the Case
There's a lot of chatter that the Chrisleys were just "bad at taxes." It was way more than that. The federal government proved they used fake bank statements to get $30 million in loans before they even had a TV show. They were living the high life on borrowed money, then used the Chrisley Knows Best money to hide from the IRS.
- The Restitution: Even with the pardon, the financial hit was massive. At one point, they were ordered to pay back $17.8 million.
- The Accountant: Peter Tarantino, their former accountant, didn't get a pardon. He was sentenced to three years for his role in the tax evasion.
- The Impact on the Kids: Savannah became the legal guardian of her younger brother Grayson and niece Chloe. She’s been very open about how "soul-crushing" that period was.
Life in 2026: The New Reality
So, where are they now? Since their release last summer, the family hasn't exactly gone into hiding. They’ve been filming a new docuseries for Lifetime, which is basically a "where are they now" unfiltered look at their life post-prison.
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Todd has become a loud voice for prison reform. It’s kinda surreal to see the man who used to worry about the thread count of his sheets now talking about the lack of plumbing in federal camps. He’s been a guest speaker at RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program) graduations and has been doing the podcast circuit to talk about the "injustices" he saw inside.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following the aftermath of the Chrisley case, here is what actually matters right now:
- Watch the New Content: Their new Lifetime series is the most direct way to see how they are adjusting to life after FPC Pensacola and FMC Lexington. It covers the transition from "inmate" back to "reality star."
- Follow the Legal Precedents: The Chrisley pardon is being cited by other white-collar defendants seeking clemency. It set a massive precedent for how public profile and political advocacy can influence federal sentences.
- Understand the Financials: While the jail time is over, the civil side of their legal troubles (including remaining restitution and state-level tax issues in Georgia) still requires navigation by their legal team.
The saga of Chrisley knows best jail time ended much sooner than anyone expected, but the fallout—and the comeback—is only just beginning.
Next Steps:
Monitor the 2026 court filings regarding the Chrisley's remaining restitution payments, as the presidential pardon only covers the criminal sentence, not necessarily the civil debt owed to victims. You should also check the Lifetime network schedule for the premiere of their new docuseries to see the first-hand account of their release.