Lindsay Lohan, who is to serve 90 days in prison for DUI probation violation, was cheered by inmates on the first day of her sentence.

The Mean Girls star entered the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California at around 10am in tears, to chants of "We love you, Lindsay." The prison was closed for an hour for her coming.

"Lindsay was crying when she came in. She was handcuffed but seemed calm," said prisoner Tiffany Hawes, who was being released from the centre at the time of the actress' arrival.

"We all started saying 'God bless you Lindsay' and saying 'Hi' to her and then she smiled at us."

The 24-year-old troubled actress, who entered through the back entrance in handcuffs, was strip searched, cavity searched and changed in the uniform orange jumpsuit before her mug shot.

She was then led to her 12x8ft private cell in the special needs unit, where celebrities and other high-profile inmates who could easily become targets for attack, are kept.

Next to her cell is reality TV star Alexis Neiers, who is convicted for burgling Orlando Bloom's home last year.

Los Angeles Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore said Lindsay, who will only be allowed to get out of her cell for an hour a day, is likely to serve just 14 days of her 90-day sentence.

"She is scheduled to be released on either August 1 or 2 for overcrowding issues and good behavior," he said.