Paris says she’s ‘learning and growing’

LOS ANGELES – Paris Hilton said Saturday she was “learning and growing” from her time behind bars and has decided not to appeal her 45-day jail sentence for probation violation in a reckless driving case.

The hotel heiress was at a maximum-security detention center, where she was believed to have undergone medical and psychiatric evaluations to determine the best jail to keep her in.

Hilton, in tears and screaming for her mother, was taken to the downtown Twin Towers detention center Friday after a judge ordered her back to jail, ending her brief stint under house arrest at her Hollywood Hills home.

“The Simple Life” star had been escorted from the courtroom shouting “It’s not right!”

Hilton’s lawyers sought to keep her out of jail on grounds that the 26-year-old was suffering an unspecified medical condition. Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer suggested that could be taken care of at jail medical facilities.

Paris Hilton’s statement

“Today, I told my attorneys not to appeal the judge’s decision. While I greatly appreciate the Sheriff’s concern for my health and welfare, I intend to serve my time at L.A. County Jail.

“Being in jail is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. During the past several days, I have had a lot of time to think and I believe that I am learning and growing from this experience.

“I have also had time to read the mail from my fans. I very much appreciate all of their good wishes and hope they will keep their letters coming.

“Thank you as well to my family who has always stood by me. I love you and miss you so much!

“I must also say that I was shocked to see all of the attention devoted to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq and other places around the world.”

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