🔗 Share this article

Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a memoir this autumn called A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling the period served in jail.

The revelation came less than two weeks after the former president was released while he contests the court ruling for illegal collaboration connected to efforts to obtain political financing provided by the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he notes in a preview, suggesting the memoir centers around his reflections during solitary confinement as opposed to a broader observation of the strained and crisis-hit jail system in France.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears endless commotion,” he continues. “The noise unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is fortified while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, he was present remotely from inside the facility, describing his time inside as exhausting. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this difficult experience manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It has an impact on any prisoner due to its intensity.”

Historical Context

The former president, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was the first former head of an EU country and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he mentioned he would use his time to compose an account.

Reading Material

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to go through the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, where a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

The former leader was placed secluded to protect him in a space roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom in the Paris jail in Paris. Security personnel were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

Sources mentioned that he consumed only yoghurts while inside because he feared prison cuisine might have been spat on. He had facilities to cook for himself but he turned this down, according to reports. It is uncertain if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who saw him regularly each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings his safety would improve released compared to inside. “There were menacing messages, has heard screaming after dark and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

He entered custody last month when a French court gave him a half-decade term for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to obtain political donations for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and another court case is scheduled for next spring.