Prison - reforming people as we speak

[Gilps]

Paris gets God in chokey

 

No more the party girl: Paris finds God and plans new life after jail

 

Dan Glaister in Los Angeles

Tuesday June 12, 2007

The Guardian

 

The world received proof yesterday that prison does indeed work. In an interview from the Los Angeles jail where she is serving a sentence for driving while banned, celebrity inmate Paris Hilton claimed a remarkable transformation in her character. She said she was no longer superficial, had found God, wanted to work with sick children and had not looked in a mirror since entering prison.

 

Speaking to the veteran television anchorwoman Barbara Walters by phone, Hilton revealed herself to be an acute critic of her former persona. "I'm not the same person I was," she said. "I used to act dumb. It was an act. I am 26 years old, and that act is no longer cute. It is not who I am, nor do I want to be that person for the young girls who looked up to me.

 

"I know now that I can make a difference, that I have the power to do that. I have been thinking that I want to do different things when I am out of here. I have become much more spiritual. God has given me this new chance."

Hilton, the party-going former model and hotel heiress famous for being famous, became notable for something more tangible last week when a judge ordered her back to jail after the Los Angeles county sheriff had released her to house arrest.

 

Hilton was sentenced last month to 45 days in jail, but with good behaviour, Walters said, she is likely to be released on June 25, after serving a total of 23 days.

 

Describing her first few days in jail, Hilton said: "I was not eating or sleeping. I was severely depressed and felt as if I was in a cage. It was a horrible experience."

 

But she has subsequently warmed to the idea of not being herself, she said. "I feel as if I'm a different person. I've dropped my appeal. I don't want to cause any more problems."

 

She said she had been guided in her transformation by a spiritual adviser who told her: "My spirit or soul did not like the way I was being seen and that is why I was sent to jail." But redemption was at hand. "God has released me. I feel that the purpose of my life is to be where I am."

 

However she is hoping for early release. "Usually with a situation like mine, the person serves 10% of their time. I have already served 30% of my time. I hope if there is overcrowding in the jail, I would be let out."

 

She said she had spent her time playing table tennis, reading newspapers, the Bible and self-help books such as The Power of Now.

 

The privations of prison life, she added, had enriched her. Make-up was not allowed, and while the absence of face cream had left her skin parched, she had her mind on more important matters.

 

"It doesn't matter," she said, "I'm not that superficial girl. I haven't looked in the mirror since I got here."

 

After her release, she said she hoped to find a role for herself in helping people suffering from breast cancer or multiple sclerosis. She also hoped to work with children, envisioning a Paris Hilton playhouse where sick children could come to play with donated toys.

[£440,000]

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[John am Rhein]

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[Will]

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