Over the past few weeks we have seen Paris Hilton’s drama being played out very publicly. Violating probation by driving on a suspended license by no means would be so public for most of us. Rather, it is her celebrity status that brought it to the forefront of the news.
Paris fought being incarcerated, then seemed to accept that reality. She turned herself in and entered jail peacefully. She was able to sustain incarceration for three days. During those three days she lived segregated in a 12’ by 8’ cell with a bed, a sink and a toilet. She was allowed outside for one hour a day and then some time watching TV. This a far cry from the mansions this celebrity was accustomed to living.
After three days, Paris was released from prison to house confinement because of a non-specified medical condition that incarceration worsened. Apparently it was the recommendation of her doctor for this to happen. The sheriff, based on medical information, released Paris to serve her time confined within the walls of one of her mansions.
As you can imagine, there was public outcry. “Paris Hilton gets special treatment because she is a celebrity!” There were demonstrations and angry letters sent to the judge. How dare she be given “special treatment”!!! Many were ready to hang her, hang the sheriff and hang the judge! The perception was that she was a celebrity and this “release” was unfair. After all would any of us in a similar situation get the same treatment?
Amidst Paris’ crying, her outcries, the judge sentenced her back to prison to complete her 45-day confinement. The judge refused to hear any testimony regarding the alleged medical condition of Paris, and none was submitted to the court. He appeared unsympathetic to her pleas and the pleas of her attorney. He was concerned that public trust in the court was violated by those actions. Paris was lead away crying and screaming. The paparazzi surrounded her and there was no privacy.
So, here is the $64,000 question just as Paris is facing release - was Paris treated fairly? Most people felt that she was getting special treatment because she was a wealthy celebrity. Others felt, because they were her fans, that they didn’t want her in prison because, after all, she was their idol – Paris Hilton. They felt she was being treated unfairly. There is a third view. If Paris Hilton had been Mary Smith, anonymous, would she have been released to do home incarceration? According to Sheriff Baca (the sheriff in Paris’ case), she would have. It is because of her celebrity status, that she is not having the same consideration as a “commoner”.
Let’s step aside from the emotions and take the role of an observer. An observer is not tied to any outcome. It is only the observation of the event. Paris Hilton was arrested on September 8 in California for allegedly driving while intoxicated. She was sentenced to 36 months of probation, alcohol education, and fines. Her license was suspended. Paris failed to enroll in an alcohol program and drove on a suspended license and was pulled over two times and lied each time.
There is much publicity about driving while intoxicated. We all hear the horror stories and see the results. We all know the possible legal consequences of driving while intoxicated. Paris Hilton made a choice to drive while intoxicated back in September. She knew the consequences could land her in jail. Ignorance can not be used as a defense!!! She then chose to drive on a suspended license and she chose to not enroll in a court ordered alcohol educational program. She, then, effectively chose the consequence of incarceration. Every choice we make has a consequence and surely Paris knew that this outcome was a possibility. This may not feel good, but it appears fair. It sounds as if most of us could expect the same should be follow in her footsteps.
In life, we all face choices every day. Those choices range from simple ones such as what clothes to wear that day to complicated ones such as choices in the direction their corporation is going. With every choice, there is a consequence. Unethical choices lead to negative consequences. Paris made an unethical choice and she received her negative consequence. She compounded her initial unethical choice by choosing to violate the negative consequences. Thus, she received a more stringent negative consequence. Had she chosen to respect the consequences of her initial behavior, this drama she is enduring would be non-existent and she would be experiencing positive results. It appears that Paris Hilton created her outcome. Had she followed the law to begin with, all this “suffering” would be a non-issue.
Having said that, I also believe there is the concept of mercy. If she indeed has a medical condition that jail worsens, then perhaps an alternative incarceration is called for such as would be true for a mere commoner such as myself. If it is a psychiatric condition, send her to a psychiatric hospital. From what I understand, it is no picnic there either. However, having to do incarceration in a mansion is hardly punishment.
Having been to Federal Prison, I understand the despair at being locked up in a cell. Those first few days are the worse. It is the initial separation from family, it is the final ripping away of the illusions of success. You are only left with who you are and if you don’t know who you are, then it is very frightening. I can truly identify with the sense of isolation and despondency Paris has gone through. I was not a celebrity, but I had been a very successful partner in a CPA firm. I had all the illusions of success. I had made it, I thought. However, I made an unethical choice of stealing money from my clients which lead to my negative consequences. I did it all by myself. I didn’t intend to be incarcerated. I didn’t intend to harm my family, but I did both. Yes, those first few days were the worst as I finally faced the reality of myself.
Prison was an experience I would never want to repeat. However, I grew as a person and as a man as a result of that experience. I would not be where I am today without the experience, unfortunately. If Paris chooses, she could learn about her self, her values, and choices. She may come out on the other side knowing more about herself and what is truly important and what is not. Moreover, she may use the experience to help others understand clearly the effects that choices have. Perhaps, Paris will use her fame and some fortune to campaign against what got her to prison in the first place – campaign against drinking and driving
As a motivational speaker, I share my experience before, during and after prison – using it as an example for others. We are all faced with making choices and all choices have consequences. The reality is we generally have control over the outcome by the choices we make. Let’s hope as the days unfold that Paris will use this experience to benefit others. For information on the presentation Choices: Negative Consequences – Positive Results visit www.chuckgallagher.com.
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