Paris Hilton jail sentence reduced to 23 days
Posted: 18 May 2007 0050 hrs

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LOS ANGELES : Paris Hilton could be released from jail after serving only half of her 45-day prison sentence if she behaves herself behind bars, Los Angeles justice authorities said Thursday.

The multi-millionaire celebrity socialite and heiress to the Hilton hotel empire was stunned earlier this month after being slapped with a jail term for continuing to drive despite having her license suspended.

But the prospect of having to spend just over six weeks in the spartan surroundings of the Century Regional Detention Facility has been softened by confirmation that she could be released after 23 days.

"I want to emphasize that her sentence has not been cut," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore told AFP.

"But under Los Angeles county regulations she will receive good behaviour credits at the start of her sentence. Provided she behaves well, she could be released after 23 days."

Whitmore said Hilton's case had been reviewed and that she would be kept away from the rest of the prison population in a "special needs housing unit" made up of 12 two-person cells.

The unit is usually reserved for police officers, public officials and other high-profile inmates.

Whitmore said it was possible Hilton would have to share her cell with another inmate. "Each cell has two bunks, a sink, a toilet and a sliver of a window," Whitmore said.

Whitmore would not reveal if specific security arrangements would be made for Hilton, amid speculation that her jail stint is going to spark a frenzied battle amongst paparazzi photo agencies for pictures of her behind bars.

"If anyone tries to take advantage of this situation they will be dealt with swiftly and harshly," Whitmore warned. "This is not an e-ticket ride at Disneyland. This is a serious matter and it is not to be treated frivolously."

Hilton must begin her prison sentence by June 5.

Frank Griffin, a co-owner of the Bauer-Griffin photo agency, told the Los Angeles Times that photos of Hilton could be worth up to 500,000 dollars.

"People will try to get the photo any way they can. Wardens, guards, anyone working inside will most probably get the photo," Griffin told the paper.

"Paris finding Jesus in a foetal position with a half-eaten bologna sandwich would probably get 200,000 dollars." The same photo might fetch 500,000 dollars "if you could see the tears," Griffin added.

However the real cash bonanza could fall into the lap of Hilton's cellmate, if she has one. "The big money is in being her roommate," Griffin said.

The famously ubiquitous Hilton has kept a low profile since her jail sentence was handed down.

Hilton's psychiatrist said in court documents filed this week she is "emotionally distraught and traumatized" by the May 4 hearing and is not fit to take part in a civil trial brought against her by diamond heiress Zeta Graff.

- AFP /ls