Marion Jones Reports to Federal Medical Prison Four Days Early

Marion Jones began her six-month confinement sentence in federal prison Friday, punishment for lying to investigators about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and her role in a check-fraud scam.

While it was rumored she would spend her time at Federal Prison Camp Bryan—a facility closer to her home than FMC Carswell, Jones turned herself in before noon at Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth, approximately two hours from Jones' home in Austin.

Although FMC Carswell specializes in medical and mental health services, it also holds inmates who do not require such care. FMC Carswell is the only prison in the United States for the chronically ill and dying patients.

The prison also has a mountain of allegations pour up against it for malpractice, misconduct and neglect by staff members—including doctors.

According to the prison's Mortality Review Document, 108 women died at the facility between 1995 - 2005, though autopsy reports have been difficult to obtain by family members.

Accusations of gross medical neglect, rape by prison guards, and toxic exposure for prison workers continue to pile up for the prison, which will not be a walk-in-the-park for Jones, despite her celebrity status.

Marion Jones was an age-group and high school track star, setting the U.S. prep records in the 100m and 200m before graduating from Thousand Oaks High School in Southern California, and attending the University of North Carolina on a basketball and track scholarship.

Jones never materialised as a pure track athlete, but did excel on the hardwood courts, helping lead the Tar Heels to an NCAA title her first year with the team.

Following three years of ups and downs—all exacerbated by injuries, Jones put her foot down 11 years ago—in the spring of 1997—and dedicated herself to running track and making good on fleeting talent.

Jones began training with Trevor Graham shortly after her return to the sport and 13 weeks after their partnership began, Jones won two United States titles and qualified for the 1997 IAAF World Outdoor Championships, where she would win gold medals in the 100m and 200m dashes two months later in Athens, Greece.

Jones' rise to stardom was not without its consequence, however, as she was ultimately suspected of taking performance-enhancing drugs during her career.

Jones confessed in 2007-October both to having lied to federal authorities investigating her connections to Victor Conte's BALCO laboratory as well as to her involvement in her ex-boyfriend Tim Montgomery's check-fraud case.

She received her sentencing two months ago by Federal Judge Kenneth Karas.

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