'RHONJ' star Joe Giudice released from prison after 41-month sentence

Joe Giudice is out of prison -- but he's still not a free man.

The former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star was released from Allenwood Low Federal Correctional Institution in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, People confirmed on Thursday.

"Mr. Giudice has finished serving his federal prison sentence and was transferred early this morning from the Bureau of Prisons to a facility in western Pennsylvania which houses immigration detainees," James Leonard Jr., Giudice's attorney, said in a statement to People. "His lawyers and his family are hopeful that justice will prevail and Mr. Guidice will return home to his wife and four daughters who love him and miss him."

SEE ALSO: Teresa Giudice reveals she'll leave her husband if he's deported to Italy

Indeed, Giudice was transferred directly to an immigration detention center -- where he'll remain indefinitely until an official deportation ruling -- on Thursday because a judge had ordered that he be deported back to Italy following his 41-month prison sentence for bankruptcy fraud.

Though he grew up in the United States, he never officially became an American citizen. Under the law, he can be deported because he was convicted of "a crime of moral turpitude." He's currently appealing the deportation ruling.

Joe's sentence followed his wife, original "RHONJ" cast member Teresa Giudice's, 11-month sentence that ended in December 2015. Joe started his prison stint in March 2016.

On the season 9 reunion of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" that aired earlier this month, Teresa confirmed for the first time that she'll split from her husband if he is indeed deported back to Italy, citing their four daughters' best interests as the reason behind her decision.

SEE ALSO: Teresa Giudice seen without her wedding ring

"Unless my kids say, 'Mommy, I want to move to Italy,'" Giudice explained. "Gia's going to college next year; I haven't spoken to Milania or Audriana about it, we haven't gotten there yet; and Gabriella already voiced her opinion to me. She was like, 'That would be so hard for me, Mommy.' She doesn't speak the language. She's like, 'That would kill me even more.'"

"I'm not doing a long-distance relationship," Giudice added. "I'm not doing it. You know, I want somebody with me every day. I know exactly what happens. You know, I'm sure he'll be with other women. It happens. We do the long-distance thing, it's not going to work. I'd be like, 'Bye, bye!'"

Teresa and Joe Giudice share daughters Gia, 18, Gabriella, 14, Milania, 12, and Audriana, 9. They've been married since 1999.