Stewart released from prison to begin house arrest

Disgraced US domestic diva Martha Stewart exchanged prison life for five months luxury house arrest today after serving her time for lying over share sales.

A few hours later she strolled with her dog in the grounds of her multi-million pound estate in New York state, stopping to feed her horses.

Before going to prison, Stewart had lamented that she would miss her beloved pets – cats, dogs, horses, canaries and chickens – and hoped to be free in time for her cherished spring gardening.

Stewart was driven to the 153 acre estate, 40 miles north of Manhattan, after landing at a nearby airport in a private jet. She later was seen inside her Winter House with her daughter, Alexis.

For the next five months, Stewart must wear an electronic anklet so authorities can track her every move.

“The experience of the last five months … has been life altering and life affirming,” Stewart said in a statement issued on her website.

“Someday, I hope to have the chance to talk more about all that has happened, the extraordinary people I have met here and all that I have learned.”

Stewart, aged 63, who also has homes in Connecticut, Maine and on New York state’s Long Island, chose the Katonah estate to be her prison until August.

Besides running Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and writing a column for her magazine, Stewart can prepare for the two television shows that she will be starring in.

Stewart hopes to turn around the fortunes of a company that produces everything from television shows and magazines to bed sheets and bakeware.

In 2004, the company suffered a loss and its revenues sagged, but the stock price rose considerably during her prison stint as investors bet on a Stewart comeback.

Today, Martha Stewart Living shares jumped 6.3% in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

While in home confinement, Stewart will be free to entertain colleagues, neighbours, friends and relatives – as long as they are not criminals.

During her time at the federal women’s camp in Alderson, Stewart foraged for dandelions and other wild greens, concocted recipes in a microwave and even ate from a vending machine. She also participated in nightly yoga classes, spent time on crafts and writing and lost weight.