PARIS Hilton believes her jail sentence was a message from God to change her party-loving lifestyle and become a positive role model for people who look up to her.
In her first interview since she was dramatically sent back to jail on the weekend, Hilton said her imprisonment had been a life-changing wake-up call.
"I used to act dumb -- it was an act," she said.
"I am 26 years old and that act is no longer cute. It is not who I am, nor do I want to be that person for the young girls who looked up to me. God has given me this new chance."
Hilton made the comments during a phone conversation with veteran US television reporter Barbara Walters in a call from the hospital of the Los Angeles jail where The Simple Life star is being held.
When asked what happened in the jail that led to her being reassigned to serve her sentence at her Hollywood Hills home, the heiress said she had not been wailing, sobbing or screaming as had been widely reported.
"But I was not eating or sleeping," Hilton said.
"I was severely depressed and felt as if I was in a cage. It was a horrible experience."
Hilton has said she will not appeal against the decision to send her back to prison to serve her 45-day term.
She was released after spending only three days behind bars last week, sparking a public outcry and prompting Los Angeles judge Michael Sauer to order her back to jail.
Hilton, who was seen carrying books in the self-help and religious genres before the start of her jail stint, also revealed she had been seeking the guidance of a person she described as a spiritual adviser before her jailing.
She said her new-found spirituality had led her to believe that her jail stint was meant to be.
"My spirit or soul did not like the way I was being seen and that is why I was sent to jail -- God has released me," she said. "I feel that the purpose of my life is to be where I am.
"However, usually with a situation like mine, the person serves 10 per cent of their time.
"I have already served 30 per cent of my time.
"I hope if there is overcrowding in the jail, I would be let out before someone with a much more serious crime."
The one-time party girl said she was planning to begin charity work -- possibly for causes including breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and sick children -- after leaving jail.
Walters said Hilton had mentioned trying to persuade toy companies to manufacture a Paris Hilton playhouse that could be donated to sick children.
Hilton, who has been reading newspapers and books including the Bible each day, said when she was not in her room, she could play ping pong.
The other women had all been friendly and the guards had been fair.
Hilton, who wears a prison uniform of either an orange or brown jumpsuit, said she was not allowed makeup or skincare products and her skin was very dry.
"It doesn't matter -- I'm not that superficial girl," she said.
"I haven't looked in the mirror since I got here."
Walters said Hilton -- who was reported to be under heavy medication amid concerns for her mental health -- sounded "tired but totally aware of what she was saying".
"Her mother had earlier told me that Paris said, 'I will never again have a drink and drive'," she said.
Walters said the surprise interview came about after the socialite's mother Kathy had phoned her and during the conversation Hilton called her parents' home on the other line from jail.
When Hilton heard Walters was talking to her mother, she said she wanted to speak to the broadcaster and rang her on reverse charges, according to the prison's policy.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles sheriff Lee Baca, who has been under fire since his decision to transfer Hilton to home detention last week, met civil rights activist Al Sharpton yesterday amid allegations of preferential treatment.
Mr Sharpton said Hilton was given the star treatment because she was white and rich, and questioned whether a rapper would have been allowed to go home early.
"If anything can come out of this Paris Hilton story, it should be to put some light on the fact that there are many people based on their income that just cannot get relief," Sharpton told reporters after the meeting. with AFP - Moore Paris - Click here !