The Paris Hilton Jail Saga

Posted by Kate Butler Jun 12, 2007

Like the rest of North America, I have to admit that I’ve noticed the whole Paris Hilton saga these past few weeks. It’s unbelievable how much attention this woman gets, and it’s difficult to not follow the sordid tales that seem to emerge wherever this pampered heiress goes.

Believe it or not, though, I’m starting to feel a wee bit sorry for Ms. Hilton. I know that many of you are recoiling in shock and horror after reading my confession. You are probably saying to yourself, “how could anyone feel pity for a woman who literally seems to win the prize for self-absorption in a vanity-idled industry? Is this person who feels sorry for Paris actually crazy?” But I stand by my remarks: Paris Hilton is undoubtedly stupid, in the wrong, and deserving of punishment, and yet she should not be subjected to the media treatment we have seen in the past 10 days.

First came the jokes at her expense at the MTV Movie Awards last Sunday; then, we had the incessant details regarding how she got to the jail (did you know she stopped for fast food before checking in?). Next, we got to hear how little Paris was coping, and what her cell would be like. We also got a detailed schedule of her daily events, and the papers were full of news as to what the other prisoners thought of her. Finally, Friday rolled around and the big surprise: Paris was let out after only 3 full days in prison!

Of course, the media had a field day with this announcement- from hounding the young lady and her family everywhere they went, to trying to find any kind of justice official from the district to talk to, the media was suddenly in frenzy-mode.

As we all know now, Paris was ordered back to prison less than 2 days after she was released. She apparently called “Mommy” as she was being pulled away, and a high speed car chase was involved when law enforcement officials tried to tell her she needed to return to court.

But here’s where I get confused with media treatment of the subject: Paris did not get out of jail on her own. Yes, she probably had family lawyers pulling strings, and I don’t doubt that she herself tried to influence the sheriff and other officials, but this woman was legitimately released from jail in the early hours of Friday June 8. The mainstream media though, from the New York Times to US Weekly to the Victoria Times Colonist, are reporting on the story as if Paris is completely to blame for her early release, and seem to want readers to think that this was totally her doing.

It just seems to me that releasing someone from jail is something that law enforcement officials are responsible for, and it’s a bit silly to pin it all on a 26-year old girl who just wants this whole ordeal to be over.

Yes, Paris made a mistake when she violated her parole, but she didn’t make one when she got out of jail early- now let her serve the rest of her time in peace and stop this incessant coverage!