Julie Chrisley says she developed lung condition from asbestos exposure in prison

During an episode of the "Chrisley Confessions 2.0" podcast, the "Chrisley Knows Best" star, 52, revealed she developed a serious health condition while serving her 28-month stay at Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Julie, who claimed she was breathing in "asbestos" during her time in prison, said, "You will probably notice me at certain times, trying to get a breath."

Though Todd noted that her condition hasn't yet been confirmed by a doctor, Julie has an upcoming appointment with a pulmonologist. 

The FBP said its mission is to operate prisons that are "safe, secure and humane."

"Humane treatment of men and women is our top priority," the statement continued. 

"The prison conditions are not something that is spoken about at all. And I've definitely ruffled some feathers by speaking about it," she told Fox News Digital in 2023. 

"They are in conditions where it gets to be 115 degrees inside because there is no air conditioning. There's black mold, asbestos, lead-based paint. They're consuming food that says 'not for human consumption.' There's not clean drinking water.

"And when you look at this, you're not just serving a sentence for a term, you're serving a life sentence because of the conditions that you are enduring. And you don't know how that's going to affect your health."

Last week, the reality television couple confessed that life on the outside is more difficult than the lives they led behind bars. 

"We all have this general consensus that - it's kind of weird to even say it."

Todd added, "No, it's not weird. Life is rougher than prison life."

"It is so horrific, the conditions that you're there for, but that's from a physical standpoint," he explained. "But from an emotional and psychological standpoint, it is harder dealing with day to day."

"The longer that people are away from their kids - as crazy as it sounds, because it's a double-edged sword - the easier it becomes because you get into your own routine," she said. 

"Doesn't mean you don't miss them, you don't love them, all that. But just from me being in prison, I had to just watch out for me. I had to take care of me. I had to make sure that I was as good as I could be physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. And that's all I could really do."

The Chrisleys were convicted of federal bank fraud and tax evasion. They've both maintained their innocence.