🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Prison Memoir Chronicling His 20 Days Incarcerated The ex-president of France plans a book this autumn named A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his time served in jail. The revelation came just 11 days after Sarkozy gained freedom while his appeal proceeds his conviction related to criminal conspiracy in a case to secure presidential race money linked to the government of the late Libyan dictator. Prison Experience: Solitary Musings “Inside jail there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, suggesting the book is more about his thoughts while in seclusion instead of a broader observation of the strained and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country. “I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in that facility, where noise is a lot to hear,” he continues. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is fortified behind bars.” Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship While appealing for release, he had appeared remotely from inside the facility, depicting prison life as gruelling. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who helped make this difficult experience tolerable – because it is a nightmare.” “It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It has an impact on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.” First of Its Kind Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII from France to experience jail. Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir. Cell Library It remains unclear whether he had time to review and analyze the three books he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution. Life in Confinement Sarkozy was placed in isolation to protect him in a room approximately nine square meters featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in Paris. Guards stayed in the next cell. It was stated that he consumed solely dairy snacks in prison due to concerns any food might have been spat on. Options were available for self-catering but refused this, as per accounts. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices. Legal Perspective His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day during the incarceration, informed the court he would be safer outside jail rather than in custody. “He has faced menacing messages, heard shouts after dark and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.” Charges and Sentence He entered custody in late October following the judiciary imposed five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure election financing for his 2007 presidential race. He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case set for early next year.