The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Detailing His 20 Days In Custody

Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account next month named A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his experience served behind bars.

The announcement emerged less than two weeks after the ex-leader left prison while he contests his conviction related to criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to acquire presidential race money linked to the regime of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in a preview, indicating the account will focus on his reflections during isolation rather than wider commentary on the overcrowded and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.

“Silence escapes me, not present in La Santé, where there is endless commotion,” he adds. “The noise is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is strengthened behind bars.”

Freedom Plea: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, he had appeared via screen from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing this difficult experience manageable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It has an impact every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

He, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as ex-leader of an EU country and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Prior to imprisonment he declared he would use his time for authoring a memoir.

Cell Library

It remains unclear did he manage to review and analyze the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a wrongfully accused individual ends up incarcerated later flees to seek vengeance.

Life in Confinement

Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement to protect him in a room of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he had eaten only yoghurts in prison due to concerns prison cuisine could have been tampered with. He had facilities to prepare his own meals yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

His attorney, who visited his client every day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail compared to inside. “He has faced threats against his life, has heard screaming at night and emergency responses next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

He entered custody on 21 October following a French court sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure political donations for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case set for the coming spring.