Former Idaho sheriff released from prison

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — A former Nez Perce County sheriff sentenced to prison for helping a burglar in a high school break-in was released Wednesday from the Idaho State Correctional Institution near Boise after a judge said he was pleased with his progress behind bars.

Jim Dorion had been sentenced to up to five years in prison in August.

But 2nd District Judge John Stegner left open the possibility of an early release by placing the former sheriff in a program in which Dorion could receive treatment for alcohol abuse.

Dorion completed the New Directions alcohol treatment program at the prison, and the judge said he should do well on probation with monitoring, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

His three-year probation is likely to be supervised by the state of Louisiana, where Dorion moved after he took medical leave from his sheriff's duties in May 2008.