He’s known this day was coming for several months, but it seems all that mental preparation didn’t make it any easier for Mike Sorrentino to report to prison on Tuesday morning.
As you may recall, The Situation pled guilty to tax fraud back in January of 2018 after investigators accused him of failing to pay taxes on more than $9 million in earnings.
The Jersey Shore star had hoped to avoid jail time through a plea deal, but in October, Sorrentino was sentenced to 8 months behind bars.
Earlier this week, the Sitch reported to prison to begin doing his time.
But first, he sent a final message to his millions of social media followers — many of whom bombarded him with questions about what he’s expecting from life on the inside.
Here’s what we know so far about Mike’s first day in the big house:
Sad Situation
Prior to his latest legal entanglements, Mike Sorrentino’s life was on the upswing.
Turning It Around
After years of reckless living, Mike got sober, reconnected with his college sweetheart, Lauren Pesce, and returned to TV thanks to Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
Too Little, Too Late
Sadly, Mike’s past has caught up with him, and his misdeeds have now cost him his freedom.
Facing the Music
In January of 2018, Mike pled guilty to tax fraud after an investigation revealed that he had failed to pay taxes on more than $9 million in earnings.
Making Things Right
The year that followed was probably the most eventful and productive of Mike’s life.
Making Up For Lost Time
He proposed and got married to Pesce, filmed two seasons of Shore, and continued to volunteer at rehab facilities and sober living houses.
Guido Family
Mike enjoyed the support of his Shore castmates as he fought to remain sober, and several were on hand during his sentencing.
The Day of Reckoning
But unfortunately, all of Mike’s self-improvement efforts were insufficient to convince the judge in his case that jail time was unnecessary, and today, the Jersey Shore star reported to Otisville FCI in upstate New York.
Bye For Now, Sitch
Mike took to Instagram today to sell some t-shirts (Hey, the guy still has bills.) and offer some final words to fans. He captioned this pic, “see you guys on the other side #FreeSitch”
Tense Moments
Mike also went live on the site as a van took him to prison in the company of his wife.
A Different Kind of Reality Show
“Okay honey you’re on,†Lauren said at the start of the video. “You can stay on as long as you want. You should see all the messages people are sending.â€Â
The Sitch Sense of Humor
It took Mike some time to warm up to the camera, but eventually, he cracked a joke about his famously prodigious appetite.
Silver Lining
“You’re going to save a lot of money on food,†he joked. “That’s all we spend our money on.â€Â
Under Construction
“The Situation will reveal himself in 2019,†he continued, on a more serious note. “Currently under construction, but will be revealed. Under new management now.â€Â
Shoutout to Henry Hill
In a possible nod to the classic film Goodfellas, Mike concluded by telling his audience, “There is nothing more to say. Just take me to jail.”
Looking Forward
Mike’s other recent posts are a twist on the viral #agechallenge, in which Mike uses two photos to contrast his difficult past with his bright future.
Hard Time?
As for how he’ll fare in prison, experts say Mike’s celebrity status should benefit him tremendously.
Star Behind Bars
“With his status of MTV, it is more likely inmates will see him as a star which will make his time very easy,” federal prison consultant Dan Wise tells Radar.
Life in the Slammer
Now that Mike is officially an inmate, questions abound about what his days will look like behind bars.
A Different Situation
Needless to say, they’ll be a far cry from the life of massive meals and near-constant travel that Mike had been living in the months before his sentence.
Feast Mode No More
For the time being, Sorrentino’s days of putting away multiple entrees in a single meal are over.
Change of Pace
According to a Federal Bureau of Prisons National Menu obtained by Radar, lunch during week 1 of Mike’s bid will consist of soy chicken patty with a whole-wheat hamburger bun, steamed rice, pinto beans, lettuce/tomato and salad dressing. He’ll also enjoy a “fruit beverage” with his meal.
First Supper
Mike’s first dinner behind bars reportedly consisted of meatloaf or a soy burger, mashed potatoes, tomato gravy, corn, whole wheat bread — yet another fruit beverage. Fortunately, it’s not all bad news on the culinary front.
Snacks For the Sitch
Mike will be able to spend a maximum of $320 in the prison commissary, and knowing Big Daddy Sitch, it’ll all go toward food.
Chef Sitch
According to information provided by Otisville, if Mike is in the mood to prepare himself an Italian feast on his hotplate, he can buy pasta sauce for .90 cents, pasta for $2.30, olive oil for $4.85, and shredded mozzarella $1.60.
Unearthing the Abs
Of course, it’s possible that Mike may want to spend his time behind bars shifting his focus away from food and back toward fitness.
Hittin’ the Track
“There will be a track for exercise as well as many different classes that he can take while there,†Wise tells Radar.
And Laying Low
Wall Street exec Larry Levine, who recently did time in Otisville, suggests that Mike do his best to keep a low profile despite his celebrity status.
Bad Timing
Levine tells Radar that Mike’s beginning his sentence “at a bad time” as many prison staff are “hostile” due to delayed paychecks from the current government shutdown.
A Common Problem
Levine also says Otisville has been ravaged by overcrowding, which could make it difficult for Mike to access the gym and other facilities.
Love For Big Daddy Sitch
However, he decides to spend his time, we’d like to join Mike’s Shore co-stars and millions of fans in wishing him all the best in the months ahead.
We Had a Sad Update
Mike is fine behind bars, don’t worry. But someone close to the prison system has told Radar Online that Mike and Lauren cannot have any conjugal visits.
That Sucks for Them
Sure does. “Mike will get to see his wife weekly. But they will get no alone time during their visits. He will be allowed a short kiss at the start and end of every visit,†Federal prison consultant Dan Wise has told Radar.
Will the Marriage Last?
We hope so. If it was based around sex to begin with, this relationship would be doomed no matter what, you know?
What a Waste of Great Abs
Right?!? That’s the real tragedy here.
How’s Mike Doing So Far?
This is the update his wife shared on Twitter within days of her men going in.
Tweeting For the Sitch
“Hi Everyone, it’s Lauren. Mike would like to thank all of his fans worldwide for the unbelievable outpouring of love & support,†she wrote on this social media platform last night,
Muddling Through
“We speak everyday & he’s doing great. He’s received thousands of letters, he won’t be able to respond to everyone but wanted to express his gratitude,” she continued.
Love From the Sorrentinos
“To each and everyone of you. Thank you from the both of us; it is truly heartwarming to have this support during this time. Lots of Love, Michael & Lauren Sorrentino,” Lauren concluded.
Release Date
Mike’s official release date has been revealed as September 13, 2018.
Early Release?
“On such a short sentence of 8 months they will send him to a halfway house for two to three months at the end,” says Wise, adding that Mike might even get sprung early by agreeing to home confinement.
The Sitch Goes In
A few days after Mike began his sentence, Lauren posted this video of his final moments as a free man.
Sober Situation
Illicit substances are not hard to find behind bars, and there were concerns that Mike might fall off the wagon during his time on the inside.
Free the Sitch
But Wise says there are resources in prison to help Mike remain sober — and doing so will help his standing with the parole board.