What Are The Reactions To Paris Hilton’s Early Release?

The last quote speaks the truth. Period.

Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton was released after three days in a Los Angeles jail on Thursday to serve 40 days house arrest, prompting reactions ranging from glee to accusations of favoritism.

Following are some comments on Hilton’s release:

PARIS HILTON;

“I want to thank the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and staff of the Century Regional Detention Center for treating me fairly and professionally. I am going to serve the remaining 40 days of my sentence. I have learned a great deal from this ordeal and hope that others have learned from my mistakes.”

AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER;

“This early release gives all of the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color. There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released. …. This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise.”

SATIRIST DAVE SEAMAN, http://freeparis.shutterline.com

“The liberation movement is simply thrilled with the news! This is a triumph for grass-roots civic action.”

STEVE REMIGE, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES DEPUTY SHERIFFS.

“There appears to have been preferential treatment. … On any given day, a thousand female inmates are in custody. Why is one case, out of the blue, treated any different than them?”

STEVE WHITMORE, LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN;

“It is not an early release; it is a reassignment. … It doesn’t matter how we look. We just hopefully do our job and do it professionally, with a sense of humanity.”

E. CHRISTOPHER MURRAY, NEW YORK CIVIL LIBERTIES LAWYER

“Sentencing Paris to jail for an extended period of time was an example of a celebrity being treated more harshly than an average person. … Allowing her to be subject to house arrest is appropriate punishment, and should have been implemented earlier.”