Whittle, 41, of Avenham Lane, was convicted of penning anti-Jewish articles on a website, but he failed to turn up at Leeds Crown Court on Monday for a hearing.

US immigration officials detained unemployed Whittle when he arrived at Los Angeles airport on Tuesday to claim political asylum.

Whittle is being held in Santa Ana City jail, near LA, while he awaits an asylum hearing.

The jail has more modern accommodation than most of the state's ageing jails and education programmes to help inmates reform.

It is a type II jail, which is at the lower end of security. Inmates are allowed three visits a week.

It houses people arrested in the Santa Ana area, adults and youths awaiting trial, and parolees.

Whittle is likely to have his case considered at an immigration hearing in the US before UK authorities can secure his return.

American immigration expert Alex Rojas has warned Whittle is unlikely to be soaking up the sunshine in Hollywood while waiting for his case to be heard by a judge.

Mr Rojas, a partner in New York legal firm Barst and Mukamal, said: "It could be anywhere between three to six months before a case is scheduled for hearing. Typically, he would be kept in custody.

"Under no circumstances would he be permitted to obtain any permit to work while an application is pending."

California is known for its harsh sentencing, high re-offending rates and having America's most over-crowded prisons, with up to three inmates per cell.

One jail had to convert a gym into extra cells for inmates at risk of being beaten up over drug debts or by notorious gangs who clash over race.

A sign above the entrance of California State Prison reads: "The purpose of prison is punishment."

Mr Rojas reckons Whittle's bid for asylum is unlikely to succeed and he could face up to a year in jail in Britain if convicted of absconding.

Mr Rojas said: "It is very difficult to get political asylum from the UK. You have to establish a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group or political opinion."

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