Hilton leaves medical ward

US celebrity heiress Paris Hilton has been transferred out of the medical ward at a Los Angeles County jail today.

She has now returned to the all-women's facility where she began her sentence for a probation violation more than a week ago, a sheriff's official said today.

Hilton, 26, was taken to the Century Regional Detention Centre at about 11pm local time yesterday, Lt Daryl Meeks told the Associated Press news agency.

He would not elaborate on where she was housed at the facility in Lynwood. When she began her sentence there June 3, she was confined to a cell in a special unit away from other prisoners.

Hilton's case caused a firestorm when she was released from Lynwood last week by sheriff's officials to serve the remainder of her 45-day sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case in home confinement.

Sheriff Lee Baca said Hilton was released because of an undisclosed medical condition. Critics said the celebrity was getting special treatment.

An outraged judge sent her back to jail on Friday.