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

Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a book next month titled Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his experience endured in jail.

The announcement emerged less than two weeks following Sarkozy left prison as his appeal proceeds the guilty verdict related to criminal conspiracy in a case to secure political financing linked to the regime of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in one passage, implying the memoir will focus on his thoughts during solitary confinement as opposed to wider commentary on the overcrowded and troubled jail system in France.

“Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears a lot to hear,” he states. “The din is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection grows stronger behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, Sarkozy had appeared by video link from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this ordeal tolerable – as it truly is one.”

“I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he intended to spend the period to write a book.

Cell Library

It is not certain did he manage to review and analyze the texts he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned then breaks out to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

The former leader was held in isolation to protect him in a cell roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at the correctional facility in the city. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks during his stay due to concerns any food may have been contaminated. Although he had access to prepare his own meals but refused this, as per accounts. It is uncertain if he will detail what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

His attorney, who visited his client each day while he was in prison, informed the court security would be better released compared to inside. “There were threats against his life, heard shouts after dark and emergency responses next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody on 21 October following a Paris court gave him a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration over a scheme to obtain political donations during his election campaign.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case planned for next spring.