Savannah Chrisley has shared “emotional diary entries” written by her mom, Julie Chrisley, from prison, on her podcast, Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley. This marks the first time Julie has publicly spoken out since she entered the facility in January 2023.
Savannah explained why she decided to expose such personal information. She said she’s received many “How’s Mom?” questions and wanted to give everyone “a very in-depth answer to that question.” Savannah claimed that her mom gave her permission to share the personal letters.
These describe in shocking detail Julie’s first two weeks in a federal prison. The handwritten journal entries are called the “Prison Diary Series.” Savannah started with an entry on January 17, 2023—Julie’s first day behind bars.
Julie Had to Say Goodbye to Her Loved Ones
Julie revealed intimate details of saying goodbye to her husband, Todd, that day before heading to different prisons. She claimed, “I knew my life was about to change forever.”
She wrote that she stood with Todd “in front of our prayer bench and said our goodbyes.” Julie revealed that she hugged, kissed, and prayed with Todd before he left. Julie’s journal entry explained that Todd was heading to prison in Pensacola, Florida, and that was the last time she spoke to him face-to-face before they departed for separate jails.
Julie said she spoke to Todd “on the phone during his ride to Pensacola.” She also called Todd “one last time before I self-surrendered” to a prison camp in Lexington, Kentucky.
Savannah got emotional on her podcast as she revealed her mother’s private feelings about being separated from her father. Julie wrote, “What a sobering thought. The man I have lived with, raised a family with, and love more than life itself” was behind bars several states away.
Julie added that her parents, her son, Chase, and a “dear friend” named Chad escorted her to the prison camp in Kentucky. She wrote, “I could not wrap my head around the fact that I was going to be separated from my husband and children for what seems like a lifetime.”
Julie is Housed in the “Devil’s Den”
Besides revealing deeply personal feelings, Julie’s prison diary describes the conditions where she is serving time. She compared the prison to an “insane asylum” and claimed that her cell is located in the “devil’s den.” This is allegedly the hottest part of the whole prison building.
Julie also described some kindnesses she received on the inside. She allegedly received greetings from fellow prisoners and “gifts from the commissary.” She claimed she was also greeted by the woman who leads the prison’s church.
Savannah read other sad entries, including the third entry in her prison diary, where Julie allegedly broke down in grief. Julie wrote, “I miss Todd so much that it hurts. I’ve never gone this long without talking to him. Today was my first breakdown.”
Savannah’s parents have been married since 1996. She claims they have not spoken on the phone since February 20, 2023. Although Todd and Julie have communicated via email while in prison, beginning two months after they started their sentences.
It was also painful for Savannah to read Julie’s anxiety that visits with her family might be “canceled.” Happily, Julie wrote on day six of her sentence that “her babies” had come to see her.
Savannah Couldn’t Stomach Re-Reading the Letters
Savannah discussed one controversial entry in her mom’s prison diary. Julie had read an allegedly fake news article that she had started “a relationship with a male prisoner at another prison.” Julie wrote, “I was so mad. There’s absolutely no truth to it.”
In addition to reading Julie’s entries, Savannah became emotional when she remembered visiting her mom in prison. She said, “I think it was so hard seeing her that way,” but Savannah confessed, “Just getting to hug her and touch her made everything so much better.” It made Savannah realize that “one-on-one time is important.”
During her podcast, Savannah made a shocking claim that Julie had probably left things out of her journal because she didn’t want to worry her kids. Savannah admitted she hadn’t re-read the journal “because I just can’t stomach to do so,” but she claimed, “I’m going to take a break, regroup, and then I will start back on day 15.” Savannah also warned, “Get ready because the letters only get more intense.”
At least Todd and Julie have received some good news this year. Entertainment Tonight reported that the Chrisleys had filed a lawsuit against the Director of Special Investigations for the Georgia Department of Revenue, claiming an abuse of power in the “bogus tax evasion claims” against them. This past January, the Chrisley’s lawsuit was resolved, and the State of Georgia had to repay them a settlement of $1 million.
