Teresa Giudice Begins Prison Sentence

Teresa Giudice is now an inmate of Danbury, Connecticut's Federal Correctional Institution.

The 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star began her 15-month prison sentence today, Jan. 5, surrendering in the early morning hours just before 3 AM -- hours before she was set to surrender.

"She was ready," her lawyer, James J. Leonard, Sr., said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. "Teresa is a very strong woman, she won't have any problems in there."

Danbury's Federal Correctional Institution is where 'Orange Is the New Black' author Piper Kerman served time. The prison served as the inspiration for both her book and the Netflix series. It also once housed Leona Helmsley and Lauryn Hill, who both served time for tax evasion.

As we previously reported, Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe plead guilty to multiple counts of bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and more. Joe also plead guilty to failing to pay taxes. After Teresa completes her sentence, Joe will begin his 41-month sentence -- purposely staggered so one parent will be able to take care of the couple's four young daughters. Joe, who is originally from Italy, also faces deportation from the U.S.

See Lindsay Lohan + More Stars Who Smiled in Their Mugshots