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Paris Hilton's Jail Term Cut In Half

Hotel Heiress Jailed For Probation Violation

Posted: 7:33 pm PDT May 16, 2007Updated: 7:12 am PDT May 17, 2007

Paris Hilton will now serve just over half of her 45-day jail sentence for violating probation.

After a review of her case, L.A. County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Wednesday that authorities determined Hilton will spend about 23 days in a "special needs housing unit" reserved for police officers, public officials, celebrities and other high-profile inmates.

Whitmore said that the sentence was shortened after jail officials gave Hilton credit for good behavior, citing her recent court appearance among other factors.

Hilton was sentenced two weeks ago to the 45-day term by Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer. She is due to report to the Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood, Calif. by June 5.

Whitmore said that like everyone else in the facility, Hilton will get at least an hour outside her cell each day to shower, watch television, participate in outdoor recreation or talk on the telephone.

This is the second break Hilton has caught this week. On Tuesday, a judge postponed a trial in a civil suit against the Hollywood socialite.

The decision came after Hilton's psychiatrist said that she was "emotionally distraught and traumatized" over her then 45-day jail sentence, and was not capable of testifying.

Meanwhile, Kathy Hilton said that she hopes people will take a lesson from her daughter's experience.

Kathy Hilton sent a statement to "The View" where Barbara Walters read it on the air Wednesday.

"We can only hope that something positive will come from all of this. Hopefully, young people who look up to people like Paris will learn from this," said the mother of the socialite.

Walters said that Kathy Hilton called her the night before. Walters said Hilton "didn't say 'my child didn't do it' or `this is terrible,' she's said, 'You have to take responsibility."'

Walters says she thinks it's "a very strong and very good statement."

But "View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck disagreed.

"You want to discipline your children before the criminal system does," Hasselbeck said.