Sutherland opts for Christmas behind bars

KIEFER SUTHERLAND has chosen to spend Christmas behind bars doing the laundry and preparing food for fellow inmates after he was jailed for drink driving.

The star of the real-time drama 24 began a 48-day sentence in a Los Angeles jail after his second arrest for drink driving in three years.

The 40-year-old chose to start his sentence immediately after he was sentenced, even though he could have waited until February.

Sutherland, who plays government anti-terror agent Jack Bauer in 24, was already on probation for a 2004 drink-driving arrest when he was stopped by police as he left a Hollywood industry party at Area nightclub on September 25.

Authorities said he failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over for making an illegal U-turn.

He pleaded no contest in October to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08.

The actor will serve his sentence at the Glendale city jail, where he will be classified as an “inmate worker” and will be required to perform duties in the laundry room and in the kitchen.

He must also serve five years’ probation, pay a $510 fine, enrol in an 18-month alcohol-education class and attend weekly alcohol-therapy sessions for six months.

Blair Berk, defending, said: “Kiefer made the decision to surrender to custody immediately.”

In October, Sutherland said: “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.”