Kiefer escapes jail with immaculate timing

Just like Jack Bauer, the counter-terrorism agent he plays in the TV show 24, Kiefer Sutherland's timing is impeccable. He is due to be released from jail on Monday, just as there's hope that the Hollywood writers' strike will be settled and he can return to work.

A model prisoner, Sutherland will have served 48 days behind bars, his full sentence for drunk-driving and violating probation. "He'll be let out the front door just like everyone else," Officer John Balian of the Glendale City jail told People magazine.

Sutherland, 41, spent his birthday, Christmas and New Year's at the Los Angeles-area facility. Just as he enjoys a first-rate reputation among the crew of 24, Sutherland appears to have been a model prisoner during his seven weeks inside. "Throughout his stay, he never griped, never complained," Balian added. "He never wanted preferential treatment from the get-go, and we respect him for that."

Season seven of 24 was once due to premiere in the US this week. But transmission had to be postponed indefinitely because of the writer’s strike.

Before the strike, Sutherland’s judge agreed to allow Sutherland to serve his sentence in 'parcels' of time, so that the series could be shot around his periods of incarceration. But when the writers' strike began in the first week of November, and the cast and crew had to be sent home, Sutherland chose to start his sentence immediately and get it over with.

A few episodes were produced before the production was shut down. Tony Award-winning actress Cherry Jones will play President Allison Taylor when the show eventually returns.