Kiefer Sutherland spent his first day in jail folding laundry.

The ‘24′ actor started his 48-day sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and violating his probation on Wednesday (05.12.07), and is already getting stuck in to his jail duties as ‘inmate worker’.

Prison Officer John Balian said: “He’s a model prisoner. He’s not happy to be here, but you can tell from his demeanour that he’s sorry and takes responsibility for what he’s done.”

As well as getting to grips with laundry folding, Kiefer has started exploring the prison’s less-than-extensive menu - having cornflakes for breakfast, a turkey sandwich for lunch and chicken a la king for dinner.

Included in his jail duties is serving meals to the other eight to ten inmates in his block through slots in their cell doors.

As an inmate worker Kiefer is allowed to walk around the jail “around 75 per cent of the time” but will spend the rest of his time locked in his eight by ten foot cell, which only contains a toilet, washbasin and water fountain.

Balian added: “He hasn’t had any visitors as yet, but has bought several books with him to keep him entertained.”

Lucky he only has 8-10 other inmates to deal with, less chance the soap will be dropped in the shower. Hopefully Kiefer learns his lesson and gets back to doing what he does best and that’s being Jack Bauer.

source

Kiefer Sutherland begins his 48 day sentence tonight after turning himself into Glendale city jail. He is serving his time for his second DUI. The actor will get his own cell and have to participate in daily chores like laundry and kitchen duty and will wear the typical orange jumpsuit. He will sadly be spending his birthday and the upcoming holidays behind bars (unless he gets lucky and somehow works the Nicole Richie overcrowded deal to be released early).

Wow hard to believe Jack Bauer is doing actual time, hope he makes it out alive, I need more 24!!

American actor Kiefer Sutherland pleaded no contest in his drunk-driving case to ensure he could avoid a lengthy jail sentence, his lawyer and TV network officials said.

Under terms of a plea agreement, the 24 star will serve 30 days in jail for driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 percent, his attorney Blair Berk said.

Sutherland was not in the Los Angeles courtroom yesterday.

A second misdemeanour charge, driving under the influence, was dropped.

The charges stemmed from a traffic stop in Los Angeles last month.

As part of the arrangement, Sutherland must also enroll in an 18-month alcohol-education class and attend weekly alcohol-therapy sessions for six months.

Sutherland could face six months in jail for violating probation for a 2004 drunken driving arrest.

Sentencing is set for December 21, the same day the show begins its winter production break.

“I’m very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment I exhibited recently, and I’m deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and co-workers on 24 and at 20th Century Fox,” Sutherland said in a statement.

The actor’s plea arrangement ensures that production of 24 will not be interrupted, Fox officials said in a statement.

“Kiefer made clear to us at the time of his arrest that his first concern was the welfare of those he worked with and that he intended to do whatever was necessary to prevent shutting down the show because of his situation,” the statement said.

“He told us that even if he had to sacrifice more time in custody in order to protect the show and the jobs of those who work with him, he would do so. From what occurred today, it is evident he is a man of his word,” it said.

Source