In an emotional update on her podcast "Unlocked," Savannah Chrisley discussed the critical situation facing her father, Todd Chrisley, as his current prison is set to close. Todd Chrisley, the reality TV star known for "Chrisley Knows Best," faces an uncertain future amid these changes.
During her podcast, Savannah shared that the closure of FPC Pensacola might force her father to move to a new facility, raising concerns about his treatment and his family's ability to visit, Daily Mail reported.
The Chrisley family found themselves under intense scrutiny after Todd and Julie Chrisley were indicted in August 2019. They were accused of executing a vast bank fraud scheme, securing over $30 million through false documents. In addition to these charges, they were convicted of tax evasion.
Currently, Todd Chrisley is serving a 12-year sentence, while his wife, Julie, faces seven years in prison after their appeals we rejected in September 2024. The reality of their situation has been hard on their family, particularly their daughter Savannah, who has taken an active stance in advocating for their welfare.
Savannah goes on to describe the conditions at FPC Pensacola as dire, citing this as a reason to be both relieved and concerned about its closure. "No human being should be subjected to the conditions or treatment that that facility gave," she stated, reflecting the dual nature of her feelings about the facility's upcoming demolition.
However, with the impending closure, uncertainties loom over Todd's future placement. Savannah expressed her apprehension about the potential for retaliatory actions by prison staff, particularly from one staff member who has reportedly shown animosity towards her father.
This staff member allegedly threatened to transfer Todd Chrisley far enough to complicate family visits: "A woman who works at the facility hates Todd, 55, and has threatened to 'send him so far up in New York to make it harder for his family to visit him." Savannah fears that these threats underscore a potentially punitive approach to her father's transfer.
Amid these challenges, Savannah has announced her intent to delay the prison's closure to document its poor conditions, hoping to support a class action lawsuit on behalf of the inmates affected by these hazardous environments. Her concerns include exposure to toxic substances like lead-based paint and asbestos, which she claims are prevalent in the facility.
She revealed her broader aim to gather evidence: "I need to know the numbers in the drinking water. I need to know it all because men are leaving there with numerous medical issues, cancer, you name it," she said, emphasizing the severity of the health risks posed to inmates.
Savannah's commitment goes beyond personal concern for her father's well-being—she is poised to fight a larger battle against what she views as systemic neglect and abuse. "So I am going to try and stop the demolition of that and I don't know where dad's gonna go, and that's the tough part," she explained.
The situation weighs heavily on Savannah, who is deeply involved in her parents' legal and personal challenges. "I know it's gonna be hard on dad and it breaks my heart," she shared, reflective of the personal and emotional struggle that accompanies their public legal battle.
As the reality of the prison's closure sets in, Savannah Chrisley stands ready to engage in advocacy and legal work, not just for her father, but for others who might suffer in silence. Her efforts underscore a fight for justice that extends beyond personal concern to address broader issues of prison conditions and inmate rights.
