Lindsay Lohan was cheered by inmates as she started her jail sentence yesterday

The troubled actress arrived at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California at around 10am in tears, to chants of "We love you, Lindsay" as the prison was shut down for an hour for her arrival.

Prisoner Tiffany Hawes, who was being released from the centre at the time of the actress' arrival, said: "Lindsay was crying when she came in. She was handcuffed but seemed calm. We all started saying 'God bless you Lindsay' and saying 'Hi' to her and then she smiled at us."

Shortly after being driven to the jail and entering through the back entrance in handcuffs, Lindsay was strip searched, cavity searched and dressed in the uniform orange jumpsuit before she posed for her mug shot photograph.

The 24-year-old actress was then led to her 12ft by 8ft private cell, next to reality TV star Alexis Neiers – who is serving a sentence for burgling Orlando Bloom's home.

Lindsay has been placed in the special needs unit - where celebrities and other high-profile inmates who could easily become targets for attack, are kept – and will only be allowed out of her cell for an hour a day.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore has revealed Lindsay is likely to serve just 14 days of her 90-day sentence.

He said: "She is scheduled to be released on either August 1 or 2 for overcrowding issues and good behaviour."

Lindsay was sentenced to spend 90 days in prison, followed by 90 days in rehab for violating the terms of her probation for her 2007 driving under the influence (DUI) charge.

Her estranged father Michael Lohan has pledged his support to the actress during this time, and has vowed to visit her every day – even though she has publicly said she wants nothing to do with him.

He said on TV show 'America Live with Megyn Kelly': "I'm here for her, I'll go to the jail everyday that she's there. Hopefully she'll let me visit her. If not, I'll write letters to her, and I'll be there for her."

Michael also revealed plans to work with Lindsay's lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley to try and appeal his daughter's sentence.

He added: "We're going to be working with Shawn Chapman Holley to hopefully put in an appeal on Lindsay's behalf."