The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days Incarcerated

Nicolas Sarkozy plans a book this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his experience served in jail.

The revelation came less than two weeks after Sarkozy gained freedom while he appeals the court ruling on charges of illegal collaboration in a case to obtain political financing from the regime of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Inner Thoughts

“Inside jail visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, implying the book will focus on his reflections while in isolation rather than extensive analysis on the overcrowded and crisis-hit jail system in France.

“Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where there is endless commotion,” he states. “The din unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, personal reflection grows stronger in prison.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, the former leader was present by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as gruelling. He had told the court: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing this difficult experience bearable – as it truly is one.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account.

Books in Prison

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he had in his cell: a two-volume biography of Jesus and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, where a blameless person is imprisoned but escapes to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

He was held secluded for his own security in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in the city. Guards were stationed in an adjacent room.

Reports indicated that he consumed only yoghurts during his stay because he feared any food may have been contaminated. Options were available for self-catering but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Not known is if he will detail what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who visited his client each day while he was in prison, told the release hearing security would be better out of prison rather than in custody. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells after dark plus rapid actions in a neighbouring cell when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody in late October when a Paris court gave him a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to obtain political donations for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and another court case planned for early next year.