Josh Duggar He is currently serving more than 12 years in prison following his conviction in 2021 on child sex charges.
Since her sentencing in May 2022, Duggar’s release date has been pushed back three separate times as the former reality star continues her fight to overturn the decision.
The first one 19 Children and counting The star had been held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Seagoville, Texas, near Dallas. However, it was revealed in May 2026 that he was transferred to a public health center in Fort Worth.
A month later, Duggar was transferred to the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for another temporary stay.
Here’s a look at his sentence, his ongoing appeal efforts and what life looks like after prison for the disgraced TV personality:
How long will Josh Duggar be jailed?
Duggar was arrested by US Marshals in April 2021 and charged with receiving child sexual abuse material. He was convicted in December 2021 of receiving and possessing child pornography. Five months later, in May 2022, he was sentenced to 12 years and seven months – 151 months – in prison, without the possibility of parole.
“Possession and viewing of child exploitation material is not a victimless crime – every time it is uploaded or shared, it perpetuates the trauma and further traumatizes the child,” HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge. Dave Denton said in May 2022. “Our special agents are deeply committed to investigating this crime and pursuing anyone, regardless of the circumstances, who preys on innocent members of our community.”
Josh Duggar’s release date has been delayed 3 times
Duggar’s release date has changed several times since his conviction. Originally scheduled for August 2032, the date was then moved to December 23, 2032. Us Weekly confirmed, Duggar will now not be released until February 2, 2033 – the third time the date has been pushed back.
The latest delay comes as Duggar continues her fight against her conviction.
Inside Josh Duggar’s Appeal Efforts
Duggar has maintained her innocence since her arrest and has made several attempts to challenge her conviction. Previous appeals have been unsuccessful, including overturns by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Supreme Court.
In May 2025, Duggar filed a motion seeking new representation, writing in court papers that she “could not afford an attorney due to [his] current financial conditions.” Duggar said she needs representation “to evaluate” whether her case involves “constitutional violations” and, “if appropriate, to prepare a motion to withdraw, vacate, or modify my conviction and sentence.”
Duggar specifically alleged “errors in the admission of forensic evidence” during his 2021 trial that may have “involved complex constitutional and evidentiary issues, particularly regarding legal decisions and strategic decisions made during the trial.”
“New legal ideas and tactics that have emerged in public discourse may be relevant to the Defendant’s case,” he said in his letter. “Due to these incidents, the Defendant wants to consult with counsel to fully assess the potential of these emerging strategies and how they can support the motion for release.”
In March 2026, Duggar hired new counsel to handle another appeal attempt. He appeared around the time of the April 2026 hearing focusing on whether he had filed the required documents by the deadline.
In June, Duggar’s appeal was dismissed by a judge. The judge wrote: “The Court can give Mr. Duggar one chance. “Perhaps two or three odd incidents. But Mr. Duggar is asking the Court to believe something akin to the magic bullet theory – a chain of events that defies common sense. All in all, this chain of events – where Murphy’s law was lurking every time – is unbelievable.” Us Weekly revealed only Josh’s wife, Anna Duggarhelped him prepare for the move before it was rejected.
Josh Duggar’s Life Inside FCI Seagoville
Before being transferred to the Fort Worth prison, Josh was serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Seagoville, Texas, a facility that was built in 1940 and is located near Dallas. The prison is more than 360 miles from the Duggar family’s 97-acre compound in Tontitown, Arkansas.
Josh and other Seagoville inmates sometimes had access to special meals and holiday events. In November 2024, reports suggested that Duggar and other inmates were given a choice between “roast turkey and bacon or veggie lasagna and dirty rice with soy and kidney beans” for Thanksgiving. Other items on the menu included “cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, two rolls and assorted pies.”
On Christmas Day 2024, inmates reportedly chose “hot oatmeal, breakfast cake or whole wheat bread with two packets of jelly, whole fresh fruit, margarine, condensed milk and coffee and sugar packets” for breakfast, with baked or herbed cornish hen as their main course for Christmas dinner.
In May 2025, Connect reported that Josh no longer wanted to do interviews while serving his time. A source close to the former Counting On star told the newspaper that she was fed up with “someone’s pictures of her in the yard” in Seagoville and wanted to avoid the limelight altogether.
Wife Anna Duggar Stands By Herself Through Everything
Despite his belief, Anna remains by his side. The couple has seven children – Mackynzie, Michael, Meredith, Mason, Maryella, Madyson and Marcus 1. Their seventh child was born in November 2021, a few months after Duggar’s arrest.
In December 2024, Anna was reportedly seen outside Seagoville after visiting Josh for the first time in two years.
However, Anna’s loved ones did not support the marriage. Source only told Us Weekly that several members of Anna’s family have urged her to divorce her husband.
“Anna has several family members who strongly encouraged her to leave Josh,” the source said. “It was very difficult to have those discussions because Anna has always been very supportive of Josh, but the family felt that they should let him know what they were thinking.”
The insider noted that Anna’s loved ones “don’t want to lose their relationship with her, so they’re trying to tell her what they’re thinking while still being supportive family members.”
“It is a nightmare for Anna that she will face for many years to come,” said the source. “The only good thing at the moment is that he is gone [while in jail].”
Anna has reportedly distanced herself from the Duggar compound in recent months.
“Anna has worked very hard to get where she is now,” the insider explained. “She’s not living with the Duggars and has started to make her own life.” Anna is “becoming independent and gaining strength” and has “worked hard to get stronger and get out of the issues and rebuild her life to some extent.”
What Prisons Has Josh Duggar Been In?
After his arrest in April 2021, Josh was transferred to the Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas. When he was convicted and sentenced to 151 months in prison, he was transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Seagoville, Texas, in June 2022.
Josh was later transferred to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Fort Worth, Texas, in mid-2026. The reason for his transfer was not made public at the time.
Us confirmed in June 2026, that Josh had been temporarily transferred to the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since it’s a catch-all, Josh will likely be commuted to serve his 12-plus year sentence.
If you or someone you know is being abused by children, call or text the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
