PITTSBURGH -- Former Rankin police chief Darryl Briston was released from prison earlier this year.

He served a three-year sentence for theft in a federal penitentiary in Chicago.

In November 2007 he was taken to the Allegheny County jail for a hearing on an unrelated charge.

Bristin claims he was supposed to be transferred back to Chicago, but that never happened.

On Dec. 12 , federal authorities sent a fax to the Allegheny County jail advising them to release Briston on Dec 18 .

But they never did and he wasn't released until Jan. 8 , 2008.

Now Briston is speaking out about his time behind bars and the conviction that landed him in a federal penitentiary.

He feels his rights were violated.

Briston said, "Without a doubt. I was kept in prison 21 days beyond my release date and that's a clear violation of my civil rights."

Allegheny County jail warden Ramon Rustin said he didn't release Briston because of a court order that said Briston shouldn't be released because of other charges pending against him.

Briston, however, claimed he didn't have any case pending.

He has hired a lawyer and asked county police to investigate why he was kept in jail over the holidays.

Briston also continues to fight the conviction that landed him in prison.

When asked if he stole any money, Briston said, "No I did not and there's no proof or record that I ever stole any money. "

Even though a federal jury convicted him of stealing nearly $6,000 that was confiscated during a drug raid, Briston denies taking any money."

And he's filed a motion asking the courts to vacate his conviction.

Briston said, "I helped so many people in that community and it's been heart wrenching. It's very difficult going through this thing I've been going through. It's been three years. All for tying to help somebody."

Briston appealed this case once and the conviction was upheld, but he now has a new attorney and he has filed another motion to vacate his conviction.