Paris Hilton is a free woman this morning, after her early release from the Lynwood Women's Correctional Facility where she served 23 days for probation violation. Paris , 26, made no statement but smiled broadly before hugging her parents, Kathy and Rick Hilton at 12:15 a.m.
With helicopters buzzing overhead, the media circus consisted of paparazzi, onlookers and fans as she was released. Paris wore a tight pair of dark jeans, high-heeled shoes, a cropped grey jacket, a white short-sleeved shirt, and wore her hair in a braided pony tail. She was escorted by sheriffs deputies to her parents' waiting SUV, which had arrived just before midnight.
Paris made her way to the car where she embraced her mother through the passenger window before the door was even opened. After a lengthy hug, Paris climbed into the SUV, which was completely surrounded by press and fans.
A statement was released in which she said, "This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I have had a lot of time to reflect, and have already learned a bitter, but important lesson from this experience."
With paparazzi continuing to follow her for miles through the Los Angeles freeway system, Paris went to her grandparents' Benedict Canyon compound after her release.
The heiress served 23 days of her 45 day sentence at the all-women's facility, earning an early release due to good behavior. Her probation remains in effect until March 2009. Paris is scheduled to give her first post-jail interview on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Wednesday.
