The AP reports that the prison guards union is warning that it may not be able to protect Martha Stewart in jail:

The head of the guards union at the federal prison where Martha Stewart will serve her time said Monday that staffing shortages will make it difficult to protect her. Staffing at the minimum-security women's prison at Alderson has fallen from 60 guards four years ago to 35 because of budget cuts, said Kent Gilkerson, local president of the Council of Prison Locals. The prison houses about 1,000 inmates.

Is this an attempt by the union to make political hay by getting free publicity for their plight? Or is Martha really in danger at Alderson, known as Camp Cupcake?

Martha is smart. She will know before she goes in what the do's and dont's are. This is not rocket science. Plus, it's quite possible the women will want to befriend her hoping she returns the favor when she's out. She probably will have more protectors than she knows what to do with.

Of course, this also may be advance spin for justifying why Martha gets her own room and privacy, instead of sharing a dorm-type room...should that occur. If that's the case, we doubt it will because of her money or influence--it will be because of great lawyering by her new lawyers. We'll know in a few days, stay tuned.