Paris Hilton's new contrition from jail may be cynical ploy, but could just work, experts say

One day Paris Hilton is screaming for her mommy as she is cuffed and taken to the pokey in a reckless driving case. The next, she's the model of magnanimity, saying she wouldn't appeal her 45-day sentence and that she is "learning and growing" from her time behind bars. An insincere buffing of an image scuffed like a pair of last season's Jimmy Choos? Maybe. Effective? Probably, say veteran Hollywood image-makers. "Based on the way the story has been playing out, this is a good move for her," said Michael Levine, who has served as publicist for dozens of celebrities, including Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand and Bill O'Reilly.

"Experience has taught me that celebrities respect wisdom but obey pain. What I mean by that is that when they feel the heat they see the light." Hilton's publicist, Elliott Mintz, did not immediately return e-mail or phone messages. Hilton was at a maximum-security detention center Sunday, where an AP photographer saw her sister, Nicky, and ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos go in on one of two days during the week that inmates are allowed visitors. "She's being strong," Nicky Hilton said as she walked out of the jail. Hilton has been at the downtown facility since Friday.