Paris's 'condition' stabilises
2007-06-14 18:02
Los Angeles, California - Paris Hilton was transferred back to the all-women's jail where her incarceration saga began because her condition was declared stable after a week at a Los Angeles county jail's medical ward, a sheriff's official said on Thursday.
A judge had sent Hilton to the downtown correctional treatment centre last week after her brief release to home confinement caused an uproar. The 26-year-old socialite and reality TV star had spent just three days behind bars before sheriff's officials moved Hilton to her home for an undisclosed medical condition.
Hilton was taken late on Wednesday to the Century Regional Detention Centre in Lynwood, and placed in the medical unit at the facility. If all goes well, she will be returned to the jail's special needs unit and released June 25, spokesperson Steve Whitmore said at a news conference.
Hilton, 26, began her 45-day sentence on June 3 at Lynwood, where she was confined to a solitary cell in the special needs unit away from the other 2 200 inmates.
After being ordered back to prison last week, the heiress underwent medical and psychiatric exams to determine where she should be held.
When Superior Court Judge Michael T Sauer sentenced Hilton last month, he ruled she would not be allowed any work release, home detention or use of electronic monitoring to track her whereabouts.
The judge gave no explanation on June 8 of his ruling to send her back to jail. But his comments throughout the hearing showed he was affronted by Sheriff Lee Baca's decision to set aside his instructions and release the heiress to do her time in the luxury of her Hollywood Hills home with an electronic ankle bracelet.
Hilton left the courtroom in tears shouting, "It's not right!"
Attorneys who have handled similar cases have said her treatment was neither special nor unusual. The Los Angeles County jail system is so overcrowded that thousands of prisoners have been released early, many serving only 10 percent of their sentences for non-violent crimes.
Unspecified medical condition
In Hilton's case, though, the sheriff's decision was based on an unspecified medical condition.
Baca said he had learned from one of her doctors that she was not taking a certain medication while in custody, and that her "inexplicable deterioration" puzzled county psychiatrists.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has launched an investigation into whether the multimillionaire received special treatment because of her wealth and fame. The Rev Al Sharpton met with Baca on Monday and said Hilton's situation exemplified an unfair legal system.
At least one person has filed a claim against the county alleging she "had serious medical issues" but was treated much worse than Hilton.
- AP