A former corrections officer, who pleaded guilty to having criminal sexual contact with two inmates and a nurse while on the job in the Hunterdon County Jail, has unsuccessfully asked to serve his time in the same facility.

Instead, Marc Jenkins, 36, of South Brunswick, ended up in the state prison system after he was given a 3-year sentence on Friday.

A Department of Corrections spokeswoman confirmed today that Jenkins was at the state's Central Reception and Assignment Facility in Trenton.

The spokeswoman, Deirdre Fedkenheuer, said Jenkins will be evaluated for three to six weeks before he is permanently assigned to a state prison. With no mandatory time, Jenkins will be eligible for parole consideration in 9 months.

Attorney Paul Uhlik, who represented Jenkins at the sentencing in Flemington, said Judge Roger F. Mahon was advised against recommending his client serve his time at the Hunterdon jail in Flemington.

"Correction officials contacted the judge and advised they didn't think it was a good idea," said Uhlik.

Even if the judge had given the recommendation, the decision would still be up to the state, according to Uhlik. "I think Marc understands that there is really no recourse," the attorney said.

Another lawyer who represented Jenkins when he accepted a plea deal in March, said the former guard feared he was at risk in a state prison, because of his law enforcement background. Under the terms of a plea deal, Jenkins was barred from ever working again in law enforcement in New Jersey.