Todd Chrisley’s time behind bars has taken another deeply personal turn. The former Chrisley Knows Best star, currently serving a federal sentence for wire fraud

and related charges, has been removed from a volunteer role that had become a central part of his daily life in prison. According to his attorney,

the decision has left Chrisley shaken, confused, and questioning why a position rooted in faith and service was taken from him without warning.

In an exclusive statement, Chrisley’s lawyer, Jay Surgent, revealed that the 55-year-old had been volunteering as an assistant to the prison chaplain at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola for nearly two years. During that time, Chrisley played a hands-on role in coordinating religious services across multiple faiths, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim worship, and became a trusted source of guidance for fellow inmates navigating some of the darkest periods of their lives.

Now, that chapter has abruptly ended.

A role that gave purpose behind bars

According to Surgent, Todd Chrisley’s removal from the chaplain’s office came “without cause,” leaving his client “disappointed and emotionally offended.” The attorney confirmed that Chrisley no longer has access to the chapel office where he once worked, cutting him off from responsibilities that had provided structure, meaning, and spiritual grounding during his incarceration.

For Chrisley, the position was not symbolic or ceremonial. Surgent stressed that the role was “a big part” of his client’s prison life—one that allowed him to actively practice his faith while helping others do the same.

“This position gave Todd the ability to participate in his faith and to help other people with their faith,” Surgent explained. “It meant a great deal to him.”

During his time assisting the chaplain, Chrisley reportedly helped organize services, coordinate schedules, and offer emotional support to inmates who sought him out for advice. Surgent says many prisoners came to rely on Chrisley for guidance, whether they were struggling with family separation, personal guilt, or the overwhelming reality of incarceration.

Why was Todd Chrisley removed?

The reason for Chrisley’s dismissal remains murky. Surgent said no “real reason” was formally provided, but prison officials allegedly cited concerns that Chrisley had been communicating with inmates who were part of the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP).

RDAP participants are granted limited access to outside communication as part of their rehabilitation, and Surgent believes that connection may have triggered administrative concerns—even though Chrisley’s interactions were reportedly faith-based and supportive rather than inappropriate.

While the prison administration has not publicly commented, Surgent insists that throughout Chrisley’s tenure, the prison chaplain consistently praised his performance.

“The chaplain always represented to the administration that Todd was doing an exemplary job in his position,” Surgent said, making the sudden removal all the more confusing and painful.

TODAY.com reached out to Federal Prison Camp Pensacola for clarification but has not received a response.

A blow to morale—but not to faith

Despite the setback, Surgent says the experience has not shaken Chrisley’s spiritual convictions. In fact, it may have strengthened them.

“This situation has only intensified Todd’s belief that God will protect him, Julie, and his entire family,” Surgent said.

That belief has reportedly become a cornerstone of Chrisley’s emotional survival behind bars. While the loss of the chaplain role has been deeply upsetting, his attorney says Chrisley views the experience through a spiritual lens, believing that challenges are part of a larger test of faith.

Still, the emotional toll is undeniable. For an inmate serving a lengthy sentence, losing a trusted role and daily purpose can be devastating—especially one tied so closely to identity, redemption, and service.

Hope for change—and a possible transfer

Surgent also confirmed that Chrisley has formally requested to be transferred to another facility, though it remains unclear whether that request will be granted. Such a move could offer a fresh start, but it also underscores Chrisley’s growing sense of isolation and frustration at Pensacola.

At the same time, Todd Chrisley has not abandoned hope that his sentence could eventually be reduced.

“Todd believes that his overall sentence of 12 years was excessive,” Surgent said. “He will be pursuing every legal means still available to him in order to have his sentence corrected in conformity with his alleged crime.”

That belief has fueled continued legal efforts from the Chrisley camp, even as the odds of a significant reduction remain uncertain.

The legal road that led here

Todd and Julie Chrisley’s legal troubles date back years. In 2017, the state of Georgia launched an investigation into Todd Chrisley for failing to pay state income taxes. Two years later, a federal grand jury in Atlanta indicted the couple on 12 counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

The couple was convicted in June 2022 after settling tax evasion charges and paying nearly $148,000. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie received a seven-year sentence. They reported to separate facilities in January 2023.

In September 2023, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reduced Todd’s sentence by two years and Julie’s by 14 months, offering a rare glimmer of relief. That momentum continued briefly in June 2024, when the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Julie’s original sentence had been miscalculated, vacating it entirely.

However, that hope was short-lived. Three months later, a judge resentenced Julie to 84 months—seven years—followed by five years of supervised release, declining to reduce her time behind bars.

A public figure navigating private pain

For a man who once thrived in the spotlight, turning family banter and luxury into television gold, Todd Chrisley’s prison journey has been a stark and humbling contrast. The loss of his chaplain role removes one of the few outlets where he felt useful, respected, and connected to others beyond his own legal battle.

Yet those closest to him say Chrisley remains determined to endure, guided by faith, resilience, and the belief that his story is not finished.

Whether this setback becomes a turning point—or simply another trial in a long road toward redemption—remains to be seen. What is clear is that even behind bars, Todd Chrisley’s life continues to unfold with the same intensity, controversy, and emotional weight that once kept millions glued to their screens.