Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton has been released from jail after serving just three full days of her sentence.
But the 26-year-old will be kept under house arrest and must wear an electronic tag for another 40 days.
The decision was made as a result of a medical problem, but officials refused to give details of the condition.
When Hilton was originally sentenced to 45 days for violating probation on a drink-driving conviction, she was told there was no prospect of early release.
But the sentence was later cut in half after being given credit for good behaviour.
Hilton has now been "reassigned" to house arrest 20 days before her revised jail term was due to end.
Steve Whitmore of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said: "After extensive consultation with medical personnel, it was decided this reassignment should be done."
The Simple Life star would be "confined to her home", must wear an ankle bracelet and would not be allowed out for parties or social functions, he told reporters.
No details of the medical problem could be given for "privacy reasons", he said, but insisted she had received no special treatment.
The socialite was in a special unit reserved for high-profile inmates
US reporters at the press conference questioned the move, however, asking if authorities had "cut her a break" and whether the heiress had feigned illness because she did not like life inside.
Hilton's full sentence - including the house arrest - has now reverted to the original 45 days.
Mr Whitmore said she had officially served five days in jail - including late on Sunday night and the early hours of Thursday morning - meaning 40 days of house arrest will complete the sentence.
The socialite and pop singer was arrested for driving under the influence last September and was given probation, which she violated several times by driving with a suspended licence.
She was held at the Century Regional Detention Centre in Lynwood, California, where her lawyer said she spent 23 hours a day in a solitary cell.
She was separated from the main prison population in a special unit for celebrities, public officials, police officers and other high-profile inmates.
Before turning herself in to authorities on Sunday, she told reporters: "I'm definitely scared, but I'm ready to face my sentence."
Hilton was accompanied by her mother as she arrived at the jail. She was then fingerprinted, photographed, medically screened and issued with the jail's regulation orange jumpsuit.
After her first night in jail, her lawyer said she was doing well and would "reflect on her life, to see what she can do to make the world better".
Here are a selection of your comments on the news of Paris Hilton's release from jail:
It is funny that Paris Hilton should develop a medical condition at the prospect of spending her full term in jail. It is funnier to know officials fell for her story.
Gitanjali Marcelline, Colombo, Sri Lanka
As The old saying goes," Money Talks".
Christine Winney, Whitefish Bay Wisconsin. U.S.
That just stinks. If she were having a mental breakdown then let her serve her time in a mental ward. Any other medical problem is treatable in jail. And that's where she should be.
Joey Salaun, Jacksonville, Florida USA
I'm disgusted at the fact that every normal woman would have to have carried out a full sentence. It makes me sick that because socialites have money that they don't have to do this. It is unfair and disgraceful. Why should money eliminate you from doing the time when they have clearly continued to do crimes? Unfair to us normal every day people.
Her medical problem was claustrophobia. Jails tend to induce that in people.
But, most people are ignored when they complain about their fear of being in a confined space. Must be nice to be a member of the elite and exempt from the law or rules.
Jack Tucker, Texas
This is a slap in the face to the people who actually have to pay for their crimes!
Adrian Niculescu, Milano, Italy
House arrest for Paris Hilton means living in a palace with every possible diversion a young (or old!) person could want at her fingertips. She should be ordered to spend house arrest in a one bed flat somewhere . . . by herself. What a joke.
Charlie Levante, London
I think we just saw money and influence at work. If Paris Hilton had been a nobody person I doubt if they would have released her on "medical grounds". We see this sort of thing a lot around here in Nigeria. But in America? Methinks they've been watching too many corruption movies.
Robert Lazobra, Lagos, Nigeria
One law for the rich! I hope the bracelet has real diamonds
Steve Franklin, Borehamwood, England
Good for her!!!
But a sudden quote just came in my mind from the classic novel Animal Farm, "All Are Equal But Some Are More Equal Than Others"
One part of my mind (Good Part) saying, Even though I don't know her she seems to be nice by look and she is in house arrest anyway.
Another part of my mind (Bad Part!!!) saying what if a Poor Guy committed the same crime. In fact drunk driving is in fact a serious crime that's what we been told.
In the end who am I to decide until I get killed in the street by a drunk driver....
Stan, Toronto, Canada
What sort of deterrent is it and it smacks of favouritism for who she is. It would be interesting to know how many other people in her situation from less privileged backgrounds were offered the same get out of jail free card!
By not saying on what medical grounds she was released is only adding fuel to the fire. If it was publicised then people would be more understanding
This is right along the lines for celebrity treatment here in the US. Remember OJ Simpson? I can't believe things like this are allowed to happen. What about all the other inmates in that jail and others, who can't stand where they are? Some of them must have medical conditions too. Are we going to let them all go home?
Adrienne Spargo, Los Angeles, USA