Separated From Teresa! Jailbird Joe Giudice 'Terrified' Of Deportation Threats

Joe Giudice leads a miserable life in prison— and The Real Housewives of New Jersey tough guy is terrified his future will only be worse.

The married father of four, who is serving three years in Fort Dix, a New Jersey correctional facility, is finally facing the devastating reality that he very well could be deported out of the United States to his native Italy after serving time, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

"He's worried sick about having to leave wife Teresa and the girls forever," a source tells RadarOnline.com.

Now, he's doing everything he can to stay on the good side of the law. Three months after RadarOnline.com exclusively revealed that the admitted alcohol abuser checked into prison drunk, Giudice, 44, has become a model prisoner.

"Joe doesn't want to cause any problems, or act in any way that could be used against him," a prison insider says. "He doesn't want to stand out. He's lying low."

As a result, "he hasn't gotten into any more trouble," the source insists. "He's doing much better now."

He also has some first-class protection against prison bullies who could start trouble.

The reality star is being "taken care of" by Mob-related inmates, the insider told RadarOnline.com earlier this month.

As RadarOnline.com reported, Giudice arrived to Fort Dix "drunk and belligerent" midday on March 23, infuriating officials.