Teresa Giudice Surrenders Herself to Prison

Teresa Giudice is now in prison.

Giudice turned herself in at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Conn., shortly after 3 a.m. Monday, her attorney told NBC 4 New York. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star will serve a 15-month sentence for bankruptcy fraud.

Giudice and her husband Joe, who received 41 months in prison, weresentenced in October after pleading guilty in March to bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. "For a moment I thought about probation ... but I think a period of confinement is absolutely necessary in this case, "Judge Esther Salas said. "I don't honestly believe that you understand or respect the law. I need to send a message. In the eyes of the law it doesn't matter who you are. There are consequences to pay."

VIDEO: Teresa Giudice opens up about prison sentencing

The Federal Correctional Institution is the minimum security prison for women where Lauryn Hill served time for tax evasion. It's also the inspiration for the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, based on Piper Kerman's memoir. Giudice, who had hoped to get that location, was sent there due to its proximity to her family's New Jersey home, which will allow for her husband and their four daughters to visit her. After Teresa completes her time behind bars, Joe will begin his 41-month sentence.