FACTBOX-Favoritism or fairness in Hilton jail release?

(Reuters) - Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton was released after three days in a Los Angeles jail on Thursday to serve 40 days house arrest, prompting reactions ranging from glee to accusations of favoritism.

Following are some comments on Hilton's release:

PARIS HILTON;

"I want to thank the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and staff of the Century Regional Detention Center for treating me fairly and professionally. I am going to serve the remaining 40 days of my sentence. I have learned a great deal from this ordeal and hope that others have learned from my mistakes."

AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER;

"This early release gives all of the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of colour. There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released. .... This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise."

SATIRIST DAVE SEAMAN, freeparis.shutterline.com

"The liberation movement is simply thrilled with the news! This is a triumph for grass-roots civic action."

STEVE REMIGE, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES