Lindsay Lohan has been taken into custody in Los Angeles to serve a jail sentence for probation violation.

The 24-year-old was handcuffed and sent to a women's prison south of the city after appearing before a court.

Lohan, who was jailed after failing to attend alcohol education classes, will enter rehabilitation after her release.

"She is scheduled to be released on either Aug. 1 or 2 for overcrowding issues and good behavior," L.A. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

It's the long-standing policy of the L.A. County jail system to release nonviolent misdemeanor offenders early due to severe overcrowding.

Lohan, 24, is serving her time alone in a 12-by-8 cell for violating probation in her DUI case.

In ordering Lohan's remand, Judge Marsha Revel ordered TV cameras and photographers not to take pictures of the actress as she was taken away from the Beverly Hills courtroom.

"I don't know exactly how long the jail will keep her. I can only impose the sentence," said the judge.

Officials have said that Lohan's sentence could be just three weeks for good behaviour and also due to the strain on prison accommodation.

Mobile phones and computers are prohibited at the jail, while Lohan will have to surrender all her jewellery and wear a standard orange jumpsuit.

Lohan spent just 84 minutes of a sentence there two years ago for her 2007 drink-driving and drug possession offences.

Source: Press Release