🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Prison Memoir Documenting Three Weeks Incarcerated The ex-president of France is preparing a memoir this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his experience served behind bars. The announcement came shortly following the former president left prison as his appeal proceeds his conviction on charges of criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to secure political financing from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections “Inside jail one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in one passage, indicating the book is more about his musings from seclusion as opposed to extensive analysis regarding the strained and troubled correctional facilities in the country. “Silence escapes me, not present at the prison, where there is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The noise unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life grows stronger while incarcerated.” Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal During his plea for freedom, he participated via screen from a room in prison, depicting prison life as exhausting. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing this nightmare tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial I must endure. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It leaves a mark on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.” Unprecedented Situation Sarkozy, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as past president from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure of France to serve time in prison. Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account. Reading Material Unconfirmed is whether he had time to go through the volumes he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, a plot where an innocent man is imprisoned but escapes to seek vengeance. Daily Reality Sarkozy remained in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a room approximately nine square meters including private facilities at the correctional facility located in the capital. Guards were stationed in the next cell. It was stated that he had eaten solely dairy snacks while inside worried that meals provided might have been spat on. Options were available to prepare his own meals but refused this, as per accounts. Not known is if he will detail his dietary choices. Lawyer’s Statements Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly every day while he was in prison, informed the court security would be better released compared to inside. “He has faced menacing messages, listened to yells during nighttime plus rapid actions next door when a prisoner self-harmed.” Legal Proceedings He entered custody on 21 October when a Paris court sentenced him to a half-decade term on conspiracy charges related to a plan to acquire campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race. He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case planned for early next year.