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The ex-president of France plans a memoir next month named A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his experience endured behind bars.

The announcement came less than two weeks following Sarkozy gained freedom as he appeals his conviction on charges of illegal collaboration connected to efforts to acquire political financing provided by the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he writes in an extract, implying the memoir centers around his thoughts while in solitary confinement rather than a broader observation of the overcrowded and struggling jail system in France.

“I forget silence, which is missing in La Santé, where noise is constant sound,” he adds. “The noise is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world grows stronger behind bars.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, he participated via screen from his cell, describing his time inside as draining. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this ordeal bearable – as it truly is one.”

“I didn’t expect that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It leaves a mark every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

Historical Context

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural former head of an EU country and the first leader since WWII of France to experience jail.

Before entering jail he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear did he manage to go through the volumes he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, a plot where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned later flees to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

The former leader was placed secluded due to safety concerns in a cell roughly 100 square feet including private facilities in the Paris jail located in the capital. Guards were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted just yogurt during his stay due to concerns prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who saw him regularly daily during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve outside jail than inside. “He received menacing messages, has heard screaming after dark plus rapid actions in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Legal Proceedings

Sarkozy went to prison in late October after a French court imposed a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to obtain election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case is scheduled for early next year.