Paris Hilton was released from her jailhouse cell after a mere three days spent there, allegedly over a medical situation.

The blonde heiress declared just last Sunday that she would go to jail and complete her term, just like anybody else, be brave, set an example, blah blah blah.

It seems Thursday the socialite was released and allowed to go home for the remainder of her 23-day sentence, complete with ankle bracelet to monitor her compliance to this ruling.

House arrest was deemed a viable solution when Paris Hilton developed a health problem. The authorities have not disclosed any details about this medical condition but have commented that the jail’s medical personnel considered the change of environment necessary.

“After extensive consultations with medical personnel, it was determined that Paris Hilton will be reassigned to our community- based ... electronic monitoring programme,” Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Steve Whitmore said.

TV show “Entertainment Tonight” dutifully reports that Paris’s mysterious health problem is a rash that has spread on her body. The show cites sources close to the heiress’s family.

\ “She has been fitted with an ankle bracelet and will be confined to her home for the next 40 days,” Whitmore said, adding that the socialite had been released shortly after midnight Thursday from the jail in Lynwood, California.

”This is certainly not unprecedented. This happens from time to time, absolutely,” Whitmore said.

The 26-year-old’s early release has generated some heated reactions though. Take Reverend Al Sharpton for example, who has expressed his opposition in strong terms: “This early release gives all of the appearances of economic and racial favoritism,” he said. “There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions (who) are not released.”

Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo will appeal Paris’s jail release. He requested a hearing Friday morning in the Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing the Sheriff's Department of contempt of court for releasing Paris from jail, in contravention to the sentencing judge's orders that she should not be allowed electronic monitoring.

Delgadillo said: “We cannot tolerate a two-tiered jail system where the rich and powerful receive special treatment.”