Paris Hilton was released from a Los Angeles County jail yesterday after serving only five days of her more than three-week sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case, authorities said.

The 26-year-old hotel heiress was released for medical reasons, and sent home fitted with an ankle bracelet. She must remain confined to her home for 40 days, said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

"With extensive consultation with medical personnel it was decided this reassignment should be done," Whitmore told reporters.

Hilton checked into the Century Regional Detention Facility in suburban Los Angeles just after 11:30 pm on Sunday to serve 23 days.

She had surrendered to authorities with little fanfare after a surprise appearance at the MTV Movie Awards.

"I am trying to be strong right now," she told reporters at the time. "I'm ready to face my sentence. Even though this is a really hard time, I have my family, my friends and my fans to support me, and that's really helpful."

After she checked in Sunday, Whitmore said Hilton's demeanor was helpful. "She was focused; she was cooperative," he said.

Hilton's lawyer, Richard A. Hutton, said on Monday, after his client's first night in jail, that she was doing well.

When she was sentenced on May 4, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer ruled that she would not be allowed any work release, furloughs or use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in lieu of jail.

Agencies

(China Daily 06/08/2007 page9)