Julie Chrisley Says She Developed a Lung Condition While in Prison

Julie and Todd Chrisley are sharing that she developed a lung condition during her time in prison.

In a July 30 episode of the Chrisley Confessions 2.0 podcast, the couple sat down together and discussed their health since returning home from prison in May. The pair — who were indicted on 12 counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy in 2019 and went to prison in January 2023 — claimed that prison conditions led to Julie developing issues with her lungs.

Todd, 56, began by discussing an inmate who suffered a lung health issue after allegedly being forced to clean asbestos and black mold without a respirator. Julie, 52, said that’s not hard to believe.

“I’m sure because, listen, I have a lung condition from being in prison,” she said. “Not from doing those things but because of asbestos.”

“Because of the black mold that you were around,” Todd said, noting their time at the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida.

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Julie added that lately, there are certain moments when she would be struggling to catch her breath.

“That’s something that we’re having to address right now,” Todd said of his wife’s health. “This week, you have a doctor’s appointment with a pulmonary specialist that’s gonna do some tests on you.”

The Federal Bureau of Prisons said they would “not comment on the conditions of confinement” for any individuals currently or previously incarcerated. However, a spokesperson shared a statement with PEOPLE.

“It is the mission of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to operate facilities that are safe, secure, and humane,” the statement said. “We take seriously our duty to protect the individuals entrusted in our custody, as well as maintaining the safety of our employees and the community. Humane treatment of the men and women in our custody is a top priority.”  

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Also on the podcast, Todd opened up about how difficult it was being apart from Julie while they were in prison. But, he said, it wasn’t the worst time in his life.

“I had someone ask me while in prison — he’s an attorney — he said, ‘This has to be the darkest day of your life,” he shared. “And I said, ‘No, it’s not.’”

“I said, ‘The darkest day of my life was when Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer.’ Not the death of my father. It was that day,” Todd explained. “When you talk about PTSD, people getting help for it, you and I both know that I have that because of that moment in our life. That still is the heaviest situation I’ve ever dealt with and the most feared issue that I’ve ever dealt with.”

Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and had a double mastectomy. She also underwent a hysterectomy in 2013 before later sharing she was in remission.

Todd admitted that at the time, he didn’t know if his wife would get past her breast cancer diagnosis.

“I would take 28 months at FPC Pensacola any day of the week over that fear. Because at FPC Pensacola, I had an exit date. But with that diagnosis of breast cancer, I had to live every day wondering when your exit date was,” he said.

“I will never forget, you said, ‘I’m here. I’m going to be fine.’ It wasn’t until we had that breakthrough moment for me — and I still struggle with it to this day — but that was a breakthrough moment for me,” Todd continued. “So prison wasn’t the darkest day of my life. Cancer was the darkest day of my life. Losing my dad was a dark day, not compared to you. Losing my dad was worse than me going for 28 months to prison.”