Teresa Giudice Is 'Holding Up' in Prison: Source

A source tells PEOPLE that Giudice and her family are "doing as fine with it as can be expected"

Photo: Splash News Online

Teresa Giudice is adjusting to life in prison.

“She is holding up,” a source close to the Real Housewives of New Jersey star tells PEOPLE.

“It’s hard, but she’s trying to make the best of it.”

Indeed, in the nearly three months since Teresa, 42, entered the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, the source tells PEOPLE, “The kids seem to be doing as fine with it as can be expected. [Her husband] Joe is doing his best to take care of the girls while she is away.”

As previously reported, that has included visits nearly every weekend and regular email contact with the family, including daughters Gia, 13, Milania, 9, Gabriella, 8, and Audriana, 3.

Joe, 42, remained positive talking E! Online Wednesday, saying, “It’s not horrible place. She never says anything bad.”

Joe’s words echo those of Teresa’s lawyer, James J. Leonard, Jr., who delivered a promising message as early as Teresa’s third day in prison: “She’s doing great,” he told PEOPLE.

“I got a series of emails from her and she is doing phenomenally. It seems like she is getting acclimated very well. She tells me that everybody is nice and everybody is treating her respectfully. She said both the staff and the inmates are being nice to her and that she is getting along fine.”

• Reporting by K.C. BAKER