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The ex-president of France plans a book in the coming weeks called A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing the period spent in jail.

The revelation came shortly following the ex-leader gained freedom as his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to obtain presidential race money provided by the regime of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Inside jail visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he notes in one passage, implying the book is more about his thoughts while in seclusion rather than wider commentary on the strained and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, which is missing in La Santé, where there is constant sound,” he continues. “The racket persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world is strengthened behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, Sarkozy was present via screen from his cell, describing his time inside as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend to all the prison staff, showing great humanity, and who have made this ordeal bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It has an impact all who experience it due to its intensity.”

First of Its Kind

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, became the inaugural former head of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account.

Cell Library

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to read and critique the texts he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts together with Dumas’s work The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where an innocent man is imprisoned later flees to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

The former leader remained in isolation to protect him in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison in the city. Guards were stationed in an adjacent room.

It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt during his stay worried that any food may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail rather than in custody. “There were death threats, has heard screaming at night and emergency responses in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began in late October after the judiciary sentenced him to a half-decade term for illegal collaboration related to a plan to secure political donations for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and a fresh trial is scheduled for the coming spring.