Joe Giudice is reportedly barely surviving his 41-month prison sentence for fraud, according to a family friend.
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The friend says Joe, who surrendered to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, NJ, in March of this year, is "miserable" behind bars, Us Weekly reported. "It's worse than anyone expected."
Joe and wife Teresa Giudice, both 44, share daughters Gia, 15, Gabriella, 11, Milania, 10, and Audriana, 7.
Joe "misses his kids so badly," another insider told Us. "He got so close with them when he was with them alone."
Joe reportedly bonded with his girls when Teresa was serving her own year-long prison sentence, which ended in December 2015.
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Joe and The Real Housewives of New Jersey star were sentenced to jail time in October 2014 after pleading guilty to three counts of bankruptcy fraud as well as and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as part of a plea deal to resolve their 41-count federal fraud indictment.
The couple's prison arrangements were made so that one parent could always be with their children.
At FCI Fort Dix, Joe "sits alone much of the time and is falling into a depression," the family friend explained, however, he at least has "two friends he plays cards with. They gamble with commissary items."
Joe also passes the time by working out at the prison gym. Teresa told Extra last week Joe lost more than 30 pounds and looks "amazing."
"He's not eating pasta and all the Italian goodies he was accustomed to before prison," the insider added. "His dislike of the [prison] food and all the stress is helping him lose weight."
Teresa revealed to Extra she talks to Joe every day, sometimes twice a day. He calls her and they email constantly. As for face-to-face meetings, Teresa is allowed to see her husband every week.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski