PRISON TIME

Martha Stewart has turned herself in to Alderson Prison Camp in West Virginia.

She will serve five months there and is not eligible for early release of any kind.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons says she arrived around 6:15 am Eastern October eighth.

Statements attributed to her are posted at http://www.marthatalks.com

After a week at the camp, Stewart posted on her Web site that she is adjusting well to the prison and described it as "like an old-fashioned college campus - without the freedom, of course."

She also wrote "The camp is fine; it is pretty much what I anticipated." "The best news - everyone is nice - both the officials and my fellow inmates. I have adjusted and am very busy."

In addition, she wrote "Your goodwill and best wishes will get me through this next chapter in my life."

TO CONTACT MARTHA STEWART AT ALDERSON

Only letters and correspondence will be accepted. No packages of any kind.

You may send money. It will be put into Stewart's "commissary account" at the prison.

Letters can be sent to: Martha Stewart, Inmate 55170-054; FPC Alderson; Glen Ray Road, Box B; Alderson, West Virginia 24910.

SENTENCING

Stewart was sentenced in July to five months in prison and five months of home confinement for lying about a stock sale.

She's also been fined $30,000.

Stewart announced she wants to serve her time as soon as possible, even as her lawyers pursue an appeal of her conviction.

Stewart said she made the decision because her business and her personal life could not be put on hold for the many months it would take for the appeal to make its way to court.

CONVICTION

Stewart was found guilty on March fifth of four counts: conspiracy, obstruction and two counts of making false statements.

Those charges are all tied to charges Stewart lied to cover up why she sold some stock.

She was not charged with insider trading in the case.

The sale in question happened on December 27th, 2001. That's when Stewart sold 3,928 shares of stock in the biotechnology-drug company ImClone Systems.

Stewart saved a total of $51,000 by selling her ImClone stock when she did.

One day earlier the company's founder, Sam Waksal, found out a major cancer drug would not be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. He tipped his daughter to sell her stocks and he then tried to sell his own.

Prosecutors allege Martha Stewart's stock broker -- Peter Bacanovic -- ordered an assistant to tip her about Waksal's moves.

They say she later lied to investigators about getting such a tip.

Stewart insists she had a previously-standing order to sell her ImClone stock once it dipped below $60 a share. It now trades around $80.

She has consistently maintained that she did nothing wrong.

BIOGRAPHY

Martha Helen Stewart was born August 3, 1941.

She is 63 years old.

Stewart's maiden name is Kostyra (koh-STY'-rah). Both of her parents are of Polish descent.

She credits her mother with teaching her to cook and her father with teaching her to garden.

She grew up as one of six children in Nutley, New Jersey.

Stewart was a straight-A student and was voted senior class treasurer in high school (though not "most likely to succeed")

Stewart received a bachelor's degree in history and architectural history at Barnard College.

CAREER

While in college, she worked as a model to pay tuition.

Stewart worked as a stockbroker from 1968-1973.

She started a catering business in Westport, Connecticut, in 1972.

Stewart's first book, "Entertaining", was published in 1982.

The Martha Stewart Living magazine was first printed in 1991.

One year later, in 1992, the "Martha Stewart Living" T-V show began airing.

Stewart bought control of her company from Time in 1997.

In 1999, Martha Stewart Omnimedia went public.

On June fourth, 2003, Stewart resigned as C-E-O and chairman but remained on board and as chief creative officer.

FAMILY

She married Andrew Stewart in her sophomore year of college, 1961.

In 1987 Andrew left Martha and began divorce proceedings.

Stewart has one daughter, Alexis, who was born in 1965.

LIFE

Martha's farm in Connecticut is called Turkey Hill, a home she renovated.

Stewart owns four chow chow dogs. seven Himalayan cats and a number of chickens.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Stewart's television show has earned six daytime Emmy Awards.

In October 2000, Forbes Magazine listed her as number 274 on the "Forbes 400" list.

She was named "Publishing Executive of the Year" by Adweek in 1996.