Now a free woman, Teresa Giudice is still barred from seeing her husband, Joe Giudice, in prison.
Since his 41-month sentence began March 23, Teresa has not yet been approved to visit him at the facility, a source close to the Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 43, exclusively reveals in the latest issue of Us Weekly.
"All of her paperwork is in, but she's waiting on final approval," the source explains. "It takes longer because she's on probation."
The Turning the Tables author recently completed her own 11-month stint for fraud December 23. She was released four months early for good behavior and had to remain on house arrest until February 5.
The parents of Gia, 15, Gabriella, 11, Milania, 10, and Audriana, 6, are eager to reunite as soon as they can. "Teresa's upset she can't see him yet," adds the source.
In the meantime, she's leaning on a former pen pal: NYC Housewife Dorinda Medley.
While Teresa was in prison, Medley, 51, "wrote her fan letters," says a Medley source. "They met when Teresa got out and became best friends!"
Before Joe, 43, left for prison, he and Teresa hung out with Medley and her boyfriend, John Mahdessian. Says the source: "All four had the best time!"
The Real Housewives of New York City airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Season 7 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey will premiere in July.
