The Former French President to Pen Jail Diary Chronicling Three Weeks Incarcerated
Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir this autumn titled Diary of a Prisoner, detailing his experience endured in custody.
The revelation emerged less than two weeks after the former president left prison while he contests his conviction on charges of criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire election campaign funds linked to the regime of former Libyan leader.
Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings
“In prison visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he notes in one passage, implying the book centers around his musings while in seclusion instead of extensive analysis on the overcrowded and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.
“Quiet is absent, which is missing in that facility, where one hears a lot to hear,” he states. “The din is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life grows stronger in prison.”
Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle
At his release request hearing, Sarkozy participated by video link from inside the facility, describing his time inside as draining. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this nightmare manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”
“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It affects one every inmate due to its intensity.”
Unprecedented Situation
He, 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.
Prior to imprisonment he had said he would use his time to compose an account.
Books in Prison
It is not certain did he manage to review and analyze the volumes he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where an innocent man is imprisoned then breaks out to exact retribution.
Daily Reality
He was placed in isolation due to safety concerns in a cell of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail in the city. Two bodyguards stayed in the next cell.
Reports indicated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks during his stay worried that prison cuisine might have been spat on. Although he had access to prepare his own meals yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. Not known is if he will detail his dietary choices.
Lawyer’s Statements
His attorney, Christophe Ingrain daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail rather than in custody. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming during nighttime and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell when a prisoner self-harmed.”
Case Background
His incarceration began last month when a Paris court gave him a half-decade term for illegal collaboration related to a plan to obtain election financing for his presidential bid.
He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and another court case planned for early next year.
