Todd Chrisley’s Prison Showdown: Why He Refused Chores — and Came Out on Top

Life after prison has turned into an open book for Todd and Julie Chrisley. Ever since their presidential pardon, the couple has not shied away from revisiting their time behind bars, using their podcast to recount stories that are equal parts shocking and oddly humorous.

Their latest episode featured none other than Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss, who couldn’t resist poking at the idea of Todd in prison.

“I just can’t see you in jail,” Burruss told him, laughing. Todd’s response? Short and defiant: “I ran my block.” That one-liner sums up the contrasting paths both he and Julie took while serving time.

Julie’s “Hard Time” vs. Todd’s Refusal

Todd and Julie became household names thanks to Chrisley Knows Best, but in 2022, the spotlight shifted dramatically when both were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion.

Todd was originally handed a 12-year sentence at Pensacola’s Federal Prison Camp, while Julie received seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington.

Their release in 2025, however, came much sooner than expected—thanks to a pardon from President Donald Trump.

Looking back, Todd and Julie admit their prison lives couldn’t have been more different.

“I did hard time… I adhered to the rules,” Julie explained, pointing out that she endured sweltering conditions in a facility with no air conditioning. She accepted the prison chores, too, unlike Todd, who bluntly admitted: “I went there to do time, not chores.”

Julie was quick to add, “I did work, he didn’t.” Todd didn’t deny it. He simply said, “I refused.”

Why Julie Embraced Prison Chores

For Julie, working inside prison wasn’t just about following rules—it came with its perks. She revealed that holding a job at the commissary meant access to small luxuries that made life feel a bit more normal.

“I wanted to make sure I could order my shampoo and body wash and makeup,” she explained. “I mean, it wasn’t MAC, but we could get the CoverGirl, the Maybelline, the Wet N’ Wild… You would walk down the hall, and somebody would have on fake lashes, fake hair, there was more weave in there.”

The image she paints is one of women finding ways to hold onto pieces of themselves, even in such an unforgiving environment.

Todd’s Prison Experience: Food and Frustrations

Todd, on the other hand, preferred to focus on the little indulgences he managed to enjoy. On an earlier podcast, he admitted he had access to meals most inmates could only dream of.

“I had Chick-fil-A, I had Burger King, I had pizza, I had Culver’s, which, let me just go ahead and tell you, this is not an ad, but Culver’s is my jam now. I had Olive Garden once, but I didn’t like it.”

But while food gave him comfort, not every prison role worked out in his favor. Todd had briefly taken on a job assisting a prison chaplain.

That stint ended abruptly in October, months before his release, and according to his lawyer, Jay Surgent, Todd was furious about being removed from the position without cause.

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