In June 2022 Julie Chrisley was found guilty of fraud. Later that same year, in November, the former Chrisley Knows Best star was sentenced to seven years in prison. In September 2023, her lawyer confirmed that her sentence was reduced to five years.
Julie is finding creative ways to pass the time behind bars. Her daughter Savannah Chrisley, whom she shares with husband Todd Chrisley, who is also serving time for fraud, gives regular updates about her parents on the podcast Unlocked. Savannah shared that Julie made a big Thanksgiving meal behind bars.
Savannah’s regular updates about her parents is a segment on the podcast called "Prison Diaries." She reads letters her mom writes to her. "I decided to cook for Thanksgiving," one of these letters began.
It isn’t easy to spend the holidays behind bars and away from your loved ones. "I fought against it but I decided to do it,” the letter continued. “There was about 10 of us who cooked together.”
More from LittleThings: Todd And Julie Chrisley Receive $1 Million Settlement In Georgia Tax Evasion Lawsuit
Julie then went on to describe the menu. “I made chicken and stuffing casseroles,” she continued. “There was chips and dip. Several ladies made dessert. It doesn't sound like much, but cooking anything in here is a chore."
This was hard for Savannah to hear. "Y'all, I don't even know how she — oh God," she joked. She made light of the tough situation.
You have to get creative to cook in prison. Julie went on to detail how she does it. "Cooking is done on radiators in the winter and with hot water and a small Rubbermaid orange cooler in the summer,” she explained. “There's no refrigerator, no knives, no staples other than a few spices from commissary. We made the best of it though and just sitting around a table was nice.”
Julie has made friends in prison. Serving time together bonds you. "There really are some great women in here. We are all so different however prison unites you in a way," she wrote. "I made it through another holiday. Christmas is next and I'm not looking forward to it.”
In a previous letter, Julie stated that she did not want her family to visit her on Christmas. Savannah is taking care of her 11-year-old niece Chloe and 17-year-old brother Grayson while her parents are behind bars. "I do not want them to ever have that memory of sitting in a prison visitation room on Christmas," Julie explained.
