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The ex-president of France will soon publish a memoir in the coming weeks called A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts the period spent behind bars.

This news was made shortly following the former president gained freedom as his appeal proceeds his conviction for illegal collaboration in a case to acquire election campaign funds provided by the regime of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“Inside jail one sees little, and nothing to do,” he notes in one passage, suggesting the book centers around his thoughts during solitary confinement instead of wider commentary regarding the packed and troubled jail system in France.

“I forget silence, not present in La Santé, where noise is constant sound,” he states. “The racket unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is strengthened behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader participated via screen from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who have made this difficult experience tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It leaves a mark every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

He, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural past president of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure of France to experience jail.

Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Reading Material

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts together with Dumas’s work the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual ends up incarcerated but escapes to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

The former leader remained in solitary confinement to protect him in a room roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility located in the capital. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he consumed only yoghurts in prison due to concerns any food may have been contaminated. He had facilities for self-catering yet he declined, as per accounts. It is uncertain if he will detail his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day while he was in prison, stated during proceedings his safety would improve out of prison than inside. “He has faced menacing messages, heard shouts after dark plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison in late October following a Paris court imposed a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges related to a plan to obtain election financing for his presidential bid.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case is scheduled for next spring.