🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Jail Diary Chronicling Three Weeks In Custody The ex-president of France is preparing a book this autumn called A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts his experience spent in custody. The announcement came less than two weeks following the ex-leader gained freedom as he appeals his conviction related to criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to secure political financing provided by the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Time in Custody: Solitary Musings “In prison there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he notes in one passage, suggesting the memoir will focus on his thoughts while in solitary confinement instead of extensive analysis regarding the strained and struggling correctional facilities in the country. “Quiet is absent, not present in that facility, where there is constant sound,” he continues. “The din is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is fortified while incarcerated.” Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle While appealing for release, the former leader was present remotely from inside the facility, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this ordeal manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial I must endure. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, extremely tough. It affects one every inmate as it’s exhausting.” Historical Context Sarkozy, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as past president of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure of France to be incarcerated. Ahead of his incarceration he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account. Cell Library It remains unclear whether he had time to read and critique the volumes he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, a plot where a blameless person ends up incarcerated later flees to exact retribution. Life in Confinement He was held in isolation due to safety concerns in a cell roughly 100 square feet including private facilities at La Santé prison in the city. Two bodyguards were stationed in an adjacent room. Sources mentioned that he consumed just yogurt during his stay due to concerns prison cuisine could have been tampered with. Options were available to cook for himself but he turned this down, as per accounts. It is uncertain if the memoir includes his dietary choices. Lawyer’s Statements Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly daily throughout the jail term, informed the court he would be safer out of prison rather than in custody. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells during nighttime plus rapid actions next door during an inmate’s self-injury.” Case Background Sarkozy went to prison in late October when the judiciary imposed five years in prison for illegal collaboration related to a plan to obtain political donations during his election campaign. He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial planned for early next year.