Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days In Custody

Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a memoir this autumn named Diary of a Prisoner, detailing his experience served behind bars.

The revelation emerged less than two weeks after the ex-leader left prison as he contests the guilty verdict related to illegal collaboration connected to efforts to secure presidential race money provided by the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Life Behind Bars: Inner Thoughts

“In prison there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in one passage, implying the memoir is more about his reflections from solitary confinement as opposed to wider commentary of the overcrowded and crisis-hit French prison system.

“Quiet is absent, not present at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is fortified while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, the former leader was present remotely from his cell, describing his time inside as exhausting. He expressed in court: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who helped make this difficult experience manageable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It has an impact every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

Historical Context

He, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader in the European Union and the first postwar leader of France to experience jail.

Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Cell Library

It remains unclear did he manage to read and critique the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

Sarkozy remained in isolation to protect him in a room of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in the city. Guards stayed in the next cell.

It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts while inside due to concerns meals provided could have been tampered with. Options were available to prepare his own meals yet he declined, as per accounts. Unclear remains if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.

Lawyer’s Statements

His attorney, Christophe Ingrain each day while he was in prison, told the release hearing his safety would improve out of prison than inside. “He received menacing messages, listened to yells at night plus rapid actions in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

His incarceration began last month when a Paris court sentenced him to a half-decade term for illegal collaboration over a scheme to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case is scheduled for next spring.