kiefer sutherlandKiefer Sutherland has said his time in jail a year ago was as unpleasant as it should be, and he hopes never to return.

The 24 star spent seven weeks in Glendale City Jail over his 41st birthday, Christmas last year and New Year 2008 after pleading no contest to a DUI charge and violation of an earlier probation.

Kiefer spent his time working in the jail’s laundry and canteen and had no visitors other than his lawyer. He chose the holiday timing to avoid disrupting production of his hit TV series.

Speaking about the experience in the forthcoming issue of Men’s Vogue, he explained: “The lights never go out, 24/7. You can’t cover anything. You can’t even put your head under a blanket. All the cells have cameras in them.”

And his cell also had an additional element he hadn’t been banking on - another resident: “I was told, you know, ‘You’ll have your own cell.’ But I didn’t for the first two or three weeks; I had a cell mate.

“He got out - but not for long. He came back in pretty quick.”

But the experience did had a positive outcome - the prison’s no-smoking policy showed him he could give up his beloved cigarettes if he wanted to: “I was very glad to know that I could quit. And one day soon I will.”