Are Celebrities Making Jail Time Cool?

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Social experts are worried that the constant press and attention of celebrities going to jail will have a lasting impact on young people, freep.com reported.

Although jail is still viewed negatively, it’s not as taboo as in years past.

Head psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Arthur Robin, told freep.com, “ Things like reality TV and other things have almost glorified going to jail. Yes, it's still something young people view very negatively, but probably not as negatively as 50 years ago.”

Experts say that the media obsession of jailed celebrities is desensitizing and that can be a wake-up call to the regular Joe who gets arrested and sent to jail, because celebrities tend to get special treatment.

Rumors are circulating that Lindsay Lohan’s first interview, once she’s released from jail, will garner $500,000 , freep.com reported.

It sends a message that jail time is cool and you will be rewarded for bad behavior. Getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars isn’t exactly a negative result for spending time behind bars.

The rapper Lil Wayne, who is serving a year for carrying a gun on his tour bus, recently made the Forbes 100 list of most powerful celebrities. He’s also releasing an album from prison. Lock-up hasn’t seemed to hurt his career.

Carl Taylor, a Michigan State University sociologist who studies urban youths told freep.com , “There's a chance, even when they get out of prison, they can go back to making movies, singing. That's not true for our kids.”

Jail tends to boost careers for Hollywood, not hurt them. What’s so un-cool about that?

According to People.com, when Paris Hilton was released from jail in 2007, it was broadcast on cable news networks.

And Martha Stewart even saw a boost to her career after serving time in prison.

Freep.com reported that experts are worried about the future impact it can have on young people if the media and celebrities continue to portray jail time as cool.

Law enforcement officer William Dwyer said, “Our value system in this society has changed to ... the negative."