Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Prison Memoir Detailing Three Weeks In Custody

The ex-president of France is preparing a personal account in the coming weeks called A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing the period served behind bars.

This news was made less than two weeks following the ex-leader was released as he contests his conviction for unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to acquire political financing from the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections

“Inside jail one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he writes in an extract, suggesting the book will focus on his musings while in solitary confinement rather than extensive analysis on the overcrowded and troubled jail system in France.

“Silence escapes me, not present in that facility, where noise is a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, he had appeared by video link from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this ordeal bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I didn’t expect that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial forced upon me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it due to its intensity.”

Historical Context

The former president, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.

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

Books in Prison

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts together with Dumas’s work the famous story, a plot where a blameless person is sentenced to jail then breaks out to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

Sarkozy was placed secluded due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters including private facilities at the correctional facility in the city. Guards occupied a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he consumed just yogurt while inside worried that meals provided might have been spat on. Although he had access for self-catering but refused this, according to reports. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain daily throughout the jail term, informed the court he would be safer released than inside. “There were threats against his life, heard shouts at night and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody in late October after a French court gave him five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to a plan to acquire political donations during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial set for next spring.