Could be worse. Teresa Giudice’s husband, Joe Giudice, reported to Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution on Wednesday, March 23, to begin his 41-month sentence for fraud. And according to a former Fort Dix supervisor, it doesn’t sound like the Real Housewives of New Jersey star’s lengthy stay will be too bad.
The former Fort Dix employee, who worked at the prison for many years, tells Us Weekly exclusively what inmates encounter during their arrival and stay at the correctional facility. Upon arrival, Joe will be searched and undergo a special scan for “anything metal internally,” according to the source.
After being cleared, the 43-year-old dad of five will be placed “into a special housing unit for a day or two until he is medically cleared, and then will likely be assigned to the minimum security camp.”
According to the former employee, Giudice may reside in a dorm room that houses some 200 inmates in double bunk beds.
“If he’s not in the camp,” the former employee tells Us, “he’ll be assigned to a low- to medium-security housing unit, where there are 12 to 18 inmates in a room.” (The Fort Dix retiree notes that “Joe won’t be watched if he goes to the bathroom or showers,” if this is where he ends up.)
As for food and visitors, Joe will be allowed to spend $300 a month and can buy items — such as shampoo, deodorant and gym shorts — at the commissary once a week.
“The food isn’t bad,” the former employee adds. “A lot of chicken, vegetables, a salad bar and even some desserts, depending on the day of the week.”
As for communicating with his family, Joe will be allowed visitors during business hours and allotted a certain amount of time with them. “He has 300 minutes of phone time per month and has to pay by the minute,” the source adds. “He will also have access to rudimentary email … but can’t go on the internet.”
Teresa was on hand to accompany her husband when he checked in on Wednesday. “It was obviously a very emotional day, but this is a very strong family with a tremendous support system, and they will get through this, just as they did when Teresa was away,” the Giudice family attorney told Us earlier in a statement.
As previously reported, Teresa was reunited with her family last December after serving 11 months behind bars. Teresa and Joe pleaded guilty to multiple federal fraud charges in March 2014. The couple admitted to hiding assets and submitting fake loan applications, as well as failing to pay taxes.
