'Real Housewives' Star Teresa Giudice Reports to Prison

— -- "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice reported to prison in Danbury, Connecticut, this morning, beginning her 15-month sentence after pleading guilty to tax fraud.

Giudice’s car ride to Danbury took about 90 minutes, and the group arrived at about 2 a.m., ahead of her 3 a.m. reporting time, James J. Leonard Jr., her attorney, told ABC News.

Giudice, 42, ate at a diner before reporting to prison, he said.

“I think she was anxious to get in, get this thing started, get it behind her, and get back to her family. Her four girls are her primary focus,” Leonard said.

Leonard said Giudice prepared for her time behind bars by corresponding with recently released female prisoners from Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury. She was told to be “friendly but guarded” at the prison, and to savor moments with her family, Leonard said.

“They told her to keep her head up, that she would make it through,” Leonard said.

Giudice will be able to see her relatives as soon as this coming weekend, Leonard said.

Giudice's husband, Joe, who was sentenced to 3.5 years, will begin his time behind bars when his wife is free. Their sentences were staggered in the interest of the couple’s four young daughters.

Giudice has starred on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” since it premiered in 2009.