Doing his best. Lindsie Chrisley got candid about how her father, Todd Chrisley, is adjusting to life behind bars — and revealed he’s already made some “great friends.”
The 33-year-old opened up about “the psychological and emotional impact” of her family’s experience during the Wednesday, April 5, episode of her “Southern Tea” podcast while chatting with prison consultant Justin Paperny, noting that she “couldn’t even imagine” what Todd, 53, and Julie Chrisley are “going through on the inside” as they serve time.
“In one of my first emails to my dad … I asked [my dad], ‘Are there any mental health services that you have access to?’ And I can’t get a direct answer from him,” Lindsie said, noting that inmates deserve to have their wellness “at the forefront” of their experience behind bars.
Despite her concerns for her father’s wellbeing, Lindsie revealed that he’s been optimistic throughout his sentence. Todd is serving 12 years at Florida’s Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, while Julie, 50, reported to Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, to complete her seven-year sentence. The couple surrendered to their respective locations in January after being convicted of bank fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion.
Lindsie reassured listeners that Todd and Julie were “welcomed with open arms” when they reported to prison earlier this year. “I feel so blessed with that because I have heard of other people reporting and that not being the case, so I do feel like we’re so blessed in that regard,” she explained on Wednesday.
Paperny added that Todd will have the opportunity to “learn” from his fellow inmates, commanding the Chrisley Knows Best patriarch for his “chutzpah” throughout his trial. “The odds of prevailing at trial, as you know, are very low,” the White Collar Advice founder said. “So to go through it, knowing the odds are against you — and then to endure the conviction and a lengthy prison term with your dignity and a plan, still finding meaning, connecting with your family — it’s hard to do, and it can be inspirational to other prisoners.”
Todd shares Lindsie and son Kyle Chrisley with ex-wife Teresa Terry. He and Julie tied the knot in 1996 and are the parents of daughter Savannah Chrisley and sons Chase and Grayson Chrisley. They adopted Kyle’s daughter, Chloe, in 2016, and the little one is now in the care of Savannah.
With Todd and Julie away from home, their children have been vocal about how they’ve taken their challenges in stride — while also defending their parents’ innocence. “In my parents’ case, I believe that the consequences do not match the alleged crime,” Lindsie argued on her podcast, clarifying that neither Todd nor Julie have “complained” about serving time.
The South Carolina native told listeners that her parents’ situation has opened her eyes to the harsh realities of the U.S. prison system. “No matter what it is in life, when you are going through something [difficult] … you have access to things and knowledge to things that you wouldn’t have had before without that experience,” she said. “Though that, I have realized the need for reform.”
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