WEST VIRGINIA Stewart begins prison sentence

Stewart will be in prison until March.
ALDERSON, W.Va. (AP) -- Martha Stewart reported to prison early today to begin serving a five-month sentence for lying about a stock sale, the federal Bureau of Prisons said.
Stewart, 63, was convicted in March of lying to investigators about why she sold ImClone stock in December 2001, just before the stock price plunged.
She was allowed to remain free pending appeal but asked to begin serving her time anyway.
Stewart arrived at the prison about 6:15 a.m., according to a statement posted on the Bureau of Prisons Web site.
She is to remain at the prison until March.
A Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman has said inmates who are sentenced to a year or less are not eligible for early release because of good behavior.
Stewart has said she will miss her pets during her stay in prison, but hoped to be free in time for spring gardening.
Web site message
"While I am away, my updates here will be less frequent, if not altogether impossible," Stewart said on her Web site. "But please know this change is only an unfortunate reflection of my current circumstances, and in no way diminishes my commitment to my life's work or to the friends, colleagues, customers and supporters who make it possible.
"With your good wishes in my heart, I am looking forward to being back at work in March, and to many brighter days ahead."
Stewart also will forgo five months of her $900,000-a-year in base pay from her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., while she is in prison. A new employment contract approved Sept. 17 says the company will resume paying her when she leaves prison and is on home confinement.
Stewart will be eligible for jobs that pay only 12 cents to 40 cents an hour while in prison.