But starting with last Monday, Barkley can breathe the air of freedom again, after serving 36 hours in prison for his DUI conviction, Efluxmedia has learned. Although at the beginning he has been given a 10-day jail sentence, a judge reduced the punishment to three days provided that he completes an alcohol treatment programme.
The former basketball player went to jail on Saturday but apparently, he benefited from special treatment. Barkley didn't have to wear a jail uniform and was given a private tent. However, these were the only privileges he had, Sheriff Joe Arpaio told the Arizona Republic.
As any other convict, Barkley has been given a work release on Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. After that, he spent the night in Tent City and the next day he became a free man again.
"I have to give him credit for at least being honest and taking responsibility in what he did," Arpaio told the newspaper. "He doesn't have any excuses. I hope he learns a lesson."
Barkley was pulled over for running a stop sign and refused to undergo a breathalyzer test on December 31, 2008. Consequently, he was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. At the trial, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Two months after the incident, he thought of apologizing publicly for his embarrassing deeds. "Drinking and driving is a very serious thing. It was stupid, and it was 100 percent my fault."
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