[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky News

Paris Hilton has vowed to shed her party girl image and prove she is a changed person after serving three weeks behind bars.

The 26-year-old hotel heiress was released at midnight on Monday local time after being jailed in Los Angeles for violating her probation in a drink-driving case.

"I'm a good person. I'm a compassionate person. I have a big heart. I'm sincere - and they'll see," she told People magazine.

Hilton acknowledged that she has long enjoyed the Hollywood party scene, but added: "It's not going to be the mainstay of my life any more.

"I've definitely matured and grown a lot from this experience. I could be a more responsible role model."

She also appeared on CNN's Larry King Live show, where she said she felt bad that many of her former fellow inmates would end up back on the streets and back in trouble.

Hilton told King that they lacked adequate family or support systems to keep them on the straight and narrow.

"I want to help set up a place where these women can get themselves back on their feet - a kind of a transitional home. I know I can make a difference," she explained.

Hilton spoke in both interviews about why she had briefly been released to home detention after just three days in jail.

The move was swiftly overruled by a judge following a public outcry over whether she had been given special treatment.

"I was basically in the foetal position, basically in hysterics and having severe anxiety and panic attacks," she said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca raised the issue of suicide - but stopped short of saying Hilton had been in danger of harming herself.

He had been explaining to the county Board Of Supervisors why he had placed Hilton under house detention.