Paris Hilton urges federal action to reform 'troubled teen' facilities

Hilton spoke at a Wednesday press conference held by survivor-led nonprofit advocacy groups that gathered nearly 200 survivors in D.C. this week.

Paris Hilton walked up a 4-by-4 imitation cinder-block solitary confinement cell erected on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning, zipped on a black Juicy Couture sweatshirt with the word "warrior" bedazzled on the back and shut herself in -- her knees curled into her chest as she wiped away tears.

The Hilton Hotel heiress, who for more than a year has been advocating for reform in congregate care facilities and residential treatment programs for "troubled" minors, stayed in the box -- an art installation with the phrase "prevent the abuse, neglect, & death of institutionalized youth in America" scaled across the side -- for about five minutes.

Hilton's performance preceded a press conference held by survivor-led nonprofit advocacy groups Unsilenced.org and Breaking Code Silence that gathered nearly 200 survivors in D.C. this week to urge federal action on abuse and neglect in these facilities.

Hilton, an entrepreneur, model and actress, said during the press conference that her few minutes in the solitary confinement box were reminiscent of her time at a teen treatment program in the 1990s.