Teresa Giudice
Teresa Giudice, photographed outside a federal courthouse in Newark, New Jersey in March 2014, is getting her priorities in order as she prepares to leave prison. Her lawyer, James J. Leonard, claims she's going to be "stronger, more focused" when she exits prison. Reuters

Teresa Giudice is using her final months in prison to prepare for life on the outside. According to her lawyer, James J. Leonard, the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star’s time behind bars has caused a major shift in her priorities.

E! News reports that Giudice has been taking better care of herself, inside and out, and ensuring that her family is properly “looked after” in preparation for her release. Leonard has faith that Giudice will “emerge stronger, more focused” after completing her 15-month sentence.

“She’s getting back in touch with her faith. She’s spending a lot of time praying in there and I think the Teresa that comes out of prison is going to wow people,” he said.

At present it appears the 42-year-old plans to focus on her husband, Joe Giudice, and their four daughters before jumping back into her career as both a reality star and cookbook author. Leonard claims Teresa has “so many opportunities,” but has not yet begun pursing them. He neither confirmed nor denied that she would be returning to television, but suggested that it was a strong possibility.

“I think she’s going to take it one day at a time, but her focus is, ‘I want to get back to my freedom, I want to get back to my husband, I want to get back to my parents, my children and then kind of take it as it goes,’” he said. “But I expect that you’ll be seeing her shortly after she comes home.”

While Teresa’s future with the “Housewives” franchise remains uncertain, it has been rumored her hubby is working on a spin off series of his own. The show, which has not yet received a title, would focus on his struggle to raise his children and lead a semi-normal life while his wife is away in prison. The series would follow Joe and his family through Teresa’s release, up until the start of his 41-month sentence.

As we previously reported, Teresa will be released from prison Dec. 23. Leonard told People magazine she will be able to “go home and sleep in her own bed,” unfortunately the “RHONJ” star will not be completely off the hook. While she will no longer have to stay in the Connecticut women’s facility she’s called home for the last six months, she will be on mandatory house arrest until February 2016.

Check out James J. Leonard's full interview with E! News below.

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