Paris Hilton: Unfairly Denied the Chance to Be Treated Better Than You
Some bloggers are saying that Paris Hilton is receiving unfairly harsh treatment, because she’s being denied the chance to receive unfairly lenient treatment — you know, like other rich people and celebrities often receive.
As you may know, Paris was sentenced to 45 days in jail for repeatedly violating her probation by driving on a license that was suspended due to a DUI conviction. The judge who sentenced her didn’t take any guff:
She will not be allowed any work release, furloughs, use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in lieu of jail, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer ruled after a hearing….
She was then ordered to report to a women’s jail in suburban Lynwood by the set date or face 90 days behind bars. The judge’s ruling excluded her from paying to serve time in a jail of her choice, as some violators are allowed to do….
The phenomenon of richer inmates paying for a safer and cleaner jail experience was recently reported in the New York Times. At the time, Jeralyn Merritt said:
The counties defend the jails on grounds that they increase revenue for other programs. It seems unfair and elitist to me.
And you know what? I agree. It’s unfair for a rich person to be able to get a better jail experience. But now, Jeralyn seems to think it’s unfair for Paris Hilton not to have that opportunity:
Why can other rich people pick their jail but she can’t?
Why should poor people not be able to pick their jail, while Paris Hilton can?
Ann Althouse adds:
It seems obvious to me that she’s being treated worse because of her celebrity . . .
It seems to me that she’s not being treated better simply because of her celebrity. And that’s a refreshing change. Why don’t others see that?