The 26-year-old Hilton checked into the Century Regional Detention Facility late on Sunday. She is due to serve three weeks for violating her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department online booking site shows a projected release date of June 26.

Hilton surrendered to sheriff’s deputies after making a surprise visit to the MTV awards. "I am trying to be strong right now," she told reporters on the red carpet. "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."

Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said Hilton was easy to work with, adding: "Her demeanour was helpful. She was focused, she was co-operative."

Hilton turned herself in and was escorted to the all-women’s facility, where she was booked, fingerprinted, photographed, medically screened and issued with an orange top and pants, Whitmore said.

Hilton’s booking photo showed the heiress wearing what appeared to be a V-neck shirt, eye make-up and lip gloss that highlighted a slight smile. Her long blond hair was draped over one shoulder. After checking in, Hilton was given her first meal - cereal, bread and juice.

The Simple Life star will be housed in the "special needs" unit of the 13-year-old jail, separate from most of its 2,200 inmates. The unit contains 12 two-person cells reserved for police officers, public officials, celebrities and other high-profile inmates.

Hilton’s cell has two bunks, a table, a sink, a toilet and a small window. She does not have a cellmate.

Hilton’s publicist, Elliot Mintz, said he spoke to her mother Kathy Hilton after she returned from the jail. "She told me it was very emotional," Mintz said. "She also said that she feels this will be a time when Paris will be able to think and reflect and to spend time alone to learn from the experience because in Paris’ life she’s never alone."


Paris behind bars - June 4 2007
Paris Hilton is now officially a jailbird.

Watched by the world’s press, the 26-year-old heiress has checked into prison in Los Angeles - where she will serve her three-week sentence for a drink-driving charge.

The blonde diva will be housed, appropriately, in the "special needs" unit of the all-female Century Regional Detention Facility in the south-east of the city.

Before being locked up she made an appearance at the MTV Movie Awards, telling reporters she was apprehensive about prison life.

"I am trying to be strong right now," she said. "I’m really scared but 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."

Paris was originally given 45 days behind bars but had the term reduced to just 23 days because of good behaviour.

Press wait for Hilton jail arrival - June 4 2007
The world’s press has converged on a southern California jail in the hope of spotting Paris Hilton arriving for her three-week sentence.

The heiress received the sentence after violating her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

Photographers, reporters and television crews staked out positions at three entrances to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. Authorities also cordoned off a grassy area outside the jail for members of the media. As of Saturday night, however, the party-loving hotel heiress had yet to appear.

Hilton has been ordered to turn herself in by Tuesday to begin her sentence.