🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Prison Memoir Documenting His 20 Days Incarcerated The ex-president of France is preparing a memoir next month called Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his time spent in jail. The revelation emerged less than two weeks after the former president was released as he appeals his conviction related to unlawful coordination connected to efforts to acquire presidential race money from the leadership of the late Libyan dictator. Life Behind Bars: Inner Thoughts “Behind bars one sees little, and nothing to do,” he reflects in an extract, implying the account centers around his thoughts while in solitary confinement as opposed to extensive analysis of the strained and troubled correctional facilities in the country. “Silence escapes me, not present at the prison, where noise is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The din persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life grows stronger while incarcerated.” Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship While appealing for release, he was present via screen from inside the facility, describing his time inside as exhausting. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – as it truly is one.” “I didn’t expect at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It has an impact every inmate due to its intensity.” Historical Context He, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, was the first ex-leader of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure from France to experience jail. Before entering jail he declared he intended to spend the period to compose an account. Books in Prison It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to go through the three books he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a blameless person is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge. Daily Reality He was placed secluded to protect him in a space roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison located in the capital. Guards occupied an adjacent room. Reports indicated that he consumed just yogurt while inside worried that prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Although he had access for self-catering but refused this, according to reports. It is uncertain if the memoir includes meals during incarceration. Legal Perspective His attorney, who saw him regularly every day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings security would be better outside jail compared to inside. “There were death threats, listened to yells after dark plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.” Charges and Sentence His incarceration began in late October following a Paris court gave him five years in prison on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to acquire political donations during his election campaign. He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial planned for early next year.