Former state Senator Ernie Newton checked into a federal prison camp in Fort Dix, N.J. Friday to begin serving a five-year prison term for corruption.

Newton says he plans on earning his master's degree and writing a book while in prison. He will be eligible to request a transfer to a halfway house when he reaches the final 10 percent of his term. The 50-year-old resigned a day before his guilty plea in September.

Related stories: Ex-state Senator Newton breaks silence on his conviction Ex-state Senator addresses Dems in Bridgeport about his conviction Ex-state Senator Newton sentenced to five years in prison for corruption Former state Senator Newton pleads guilty in corruption case