🔗 Share this article The Former French President Set to Write Prison Memoir Documenting His 20 Days In Custody Nicolas Sarkozy plans a book this autumn called A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his time endured in jail. The revelation was made shortly following the former president left prison while he appeals the court ruling for criminal conspiracy in a case to obtain presidential race money provided by the regime of the late Libyan dictator. Time in Custody: Personal Reflections “Inside jail visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, suggesting the account will focus on his thoughts during seclusion as opposed to a broader observation regarding the overcrowded and troubled French prison system. “Silence escapes me, which is missing at the prison, where one hears constant sound,” he states. “The noise persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world grows stronger in prison.” Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle While appealing for release, the former leader participated via screen from a room in prison, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this nightmare tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It affects one on any prisoner due to its intensity.” First of Its Kind He, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, was the first past president in the European Union and the first postwar leader from France to serve time in prison. Prior to imprisonment he had said he intended to spend the period to write a book. Reading Material Unconfirmed is whether he had time to go through the texts he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, in which a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail but escapes to seek vengeance. Prison Conditions Sarkozy remained secluded for his own security in a room approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison in the city. Security personnel were stationed in a neighbouring cell. Reports indicated his diet consisted just yogurt during his stay due to concerns meals provided could have been tampered with. He had facilities to cook for himself but refused this, as per accounts. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration. Legal Perspective His attorney, who visited his client each day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings he would be safer out of prison compared to inside. “He received menacing messages, has heard screaming after dark plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.” Legal Proceedings His incarceration began in late October when the judiciary gave him a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges related to a plan to acquire campaign funds during his election campaign. He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial is scheduled for early next year.