Could Joe Giudice Be Out of Prison in 18 Months?

On Wednesday, Joe Giudice began his 41-month prison sentence at New Jersey's FCI Fort Dix. But according to The Real Housewives of New Jersey husband, there's a chance he may get out early. In an interview with People, Joe shared that he could be released as early as 18 months into his nearly four-year sentence. "I shouldn't be in there longer than a year and a half," Joe said. "You get good time, and now they have, with my kind of crime, [a system where] you are eligible for [sentence reduction] programs in there so I will do as many programs as I can."

Joe further explained the type of programs, including a rehab program for alcohol, that could help him get early release. "A lot of programs knock 10 days off a month. So, whatever programs are available," he added. "I don't care if I have to take up to 24 hours, seven days a week, I will knock off as many things to pass time and get it over with and get out. That's what your goal is — to basically work on getting out."

Joe's sentence began three months after wife Teresa Giudice completed her own 11-month sentence in December 2015. And now, Joe says he wishes he could have served his time before his wife. "I would have went in the beginning and I would have been almost already out, so it would have been better for me," he said. "I took full responsibility and tried to do what I could to keep her out of there. We worked on it until the last day when she went in."

A rep for Joe had not responded to The Daily Dish's request for comment by press time.

Teresa will return to RHONJ when Season 7 premieres later this year. Check out a preview of what's to come for the Garden State mom, below.

See Teresa Giudice's Emotional Homecoming