BOISE - Former Nez Perce County Sheriff Jim Dorion has been released from St. Alphonsus Medical Center and booked into the medical unit of the Idaho State Correctional Institution in Boise.

Dorion was taken to the Boise hospital last week, four days after being sentenced to at least six months in prison for concealing knowledge of a 2006 burglary at Lewiston High School.

The former sheriff was transferred from the hospital to the prison's medical unit Tuesday afternoon, according to Idaho Department of Correction spokesman Jeff Ray.

Dorion's attorney, Joseph P. Filicetti, said earlier this week his client suffered extensive bruising on his back and renal failure last week. Dorion previously received treatment at the Clearwater County Jail and Clearwater Valley Medical Center in Orofino upon his transfer into Department of Correction custody.

Dorion is also receiving treatment for a broken left foot injured previously.

The Idaho State Police is investigating whether or not the hospitalization is the result of injuries or a medical condition.

Dorion left the sheriff's post in May 2008 to seek treatment for pancreatic cancer. Filicetti has said his client also has an ongoing problem with alcohol.

Second District Judge John Stegner sentenced Dorion to two to five years in prison on one count of felony accessory to burglary during a hearing Aug. 10, but placed the former sheriff in the retained jurisdiction program for six months so Dorion could seek treatment for alcohol abuse. At the conclusion of the retained jurisdiction, Dorion will be released and placed on probation, or ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Ray said Dorion will be officially admitted into the prison once his condition improves sufficiently. The state police investigation is ongoing, Ray said.