Chrisley Prison Release: What Really Happened with Todd and Julie

You probably remember the headlines. The perfectly coiffed hair, the designer clothes, and that sharp Southern wit that made Todd Chrisley a household name. Then, the hammer dropped. In a whirlwind of federal court dates and a $30 million fraud case, the "Chrisley Knows Best" stars went from reality royalty to federal inmates.

But if you’re looking for where they are right now, the answer might surprise you. Honestly, it’s been a chaotic ride.

Most people are still searching for their 2030-something release dates. They're looking for news about appeals and resentencing. But the real story ended much sooner than the courts originally intended. Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from prison on May 28, 2025, after receiving a full presidential pardon.

The Pardon That Changed Everything

It felt like it came out of nowhere. One day, Savannah Chrisley was on her podcast talking about prison conditions and "fighting the good fight," and the next, she was picking up her dad from Florida.

Basically, the legal battle had reached a fever pitch by early 2025. The Chrisley legal team, led by attorneys like Alex Little and Jay Surgent, had been hammering away at the conviction for years. They argued that the original trial was filled with errors. They even managed to get Julie’s sentence vacated at one point in 2024, though a judge later upheld the original seven-year term during a resentencing hearing in September of that year.

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Then came the political twist. On May 27, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a full pardon for the couple.

He didn't know them personally. He just said they seemed like "terrific people" who got a raw deal from the justice system. Within 24 hours, the gates opened. Todd walked out of the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, and Julie left the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

What the Chrisley Prison Release Looked Like

The reunion was't filmed for a season finale, but it might as well have been. Savannah Chrisley, who had become the de facto head of the family, documented the moment on Instagram. It wasn't flashy. It was just a photo of their legs as they sat across from each other for the first time in over two years.

"Reunited and it feels so good," she posted.

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You've gotta realize how long those two years actually felt for them. They hadn't spoken on the phone for the duration of their stay. Federal rules for co-defendants are notoriously strict. They lived in different states, navigating a system that was a far cry from their Nashville mansion.

Where they were held:

• Todd Chrisley: FPC Pensacola, a minimum-security camp in Florida. Interestingly, the facility was actually slated for demolition due to "significant disrepair" shortly after he left.
• Julie Chrisley: FMC Lexington in Kentucky. She spent her time earning certifications, including one for operating a forklift, and teaching classes to other inmates.

Life After the Feds

Now that they’re out, the question is: what now? You don't just go back to being a reality star after the government takes your house and your reputation. Or do you?

The Chrisleys are already planning a comeback. Before the pardon even hit the news, reports surfaced that the family had signed a deal for a new docuseries with Lifetime. It’s not "Chrisley Knows Best" 2.0. It’s expected to be a much grittier look at their "life after."

They still owe a massive amount of money. The $17.2 million restitution hasn't just vanished into thin air. A pardon wipes the criminal slate clean—meaning they aren't "convicted felons" in the eyes of the law anymore—but the financial wreckage of a $30 million bank fraud case is a different beast entirely.

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What Most People Get Wrong About the Case

There is a lot of misinformation floating around. Some think they "escaped" on a technicality. Others think they were innocent all along.

The truth is somewhere in the messy middle. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals actually upheld the convictions in 2024. They found that the evidence of bank fraud and tax evasion was solid. The only reason Julie got a resentencing hearing was because of a math error in how her specific "loss amount" was calculated.

The pardon didn't happen because a court found them innocent. It happened because of a political decision. Whether you think that's fair or a total miscarriage of justice usually depends on your politics, but the legal reality is that they are free and clear.

The Actionable Reality

If you’re following this story for the legal drama or just because you miss the show, here is the state of play right now:

• Check the new series: Keep an eye out for the Lifetime docuseries. It’s likely to be the first place they give a long-form interview about the actual conditions inside Pensacola and Lexington.
• Ignore the "Old" Dates: If you see articles saying Todd is in until 2032 or Julie until 2028, those are outdated. The Bureau of Prisons records were updated and closed out in May 2025.
• Watch the Restitution: The real "story" now isn't about jail time—it's about the money. Watch how the feds handle the remaining $17 million in restitution. That will dictate whether they ever get back to their "lavish" lifestyle.

The Chrisley prison release was the end of a chapter, but for a family that lives in front of the camera, the next one is already being written.

Next Steps: You can follow Savannah Chrisley’s "Unlocked" podcast for the most direct updates from the family, as she remains the primary spokesperson for her parents' transition back into society.