The Former French President Set to Write Prison Memoir Documenting His 20 Days Incarcerated

The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account this autumn titled Notes from a Cell, detailing the period spent behind bars.

The revelation came less than two weeks following Sarkozy gained freedom as he appeals the court ruling related to unlawful coordination in a case to secure election campaign funds provided by the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Life Behind Bars: Inner Thoughts

“In prison there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in an extract, suggesting the memoir will focus on his thoughts during solitary confinement as opposed to wider commentary of the overcrowded and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing in that facility, where one hears constant sound,” he states. “The noise is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is strengthened in prison.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy had appeared by video link from inside the facility, depicting prison life as gruelling. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, showing great humanity, easing this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I didn’t expect at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship I must endure. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, extremely tough. It leaves a mark all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

Historical Context

The former president, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was the first past president in the European Union and the initial post-WWII figure from France to experience jail.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he intended to spend the period to write a book.

Reading Material

It remains unclear did he manage to read and critique the texts he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, in which a blameless person is imprisoned then breaks out to seek vengeance.

Life in Confinement

Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a room of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail located in the capital. Two bodyguards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted just yogurt during his stay worried that meals provided may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail rather than in custody. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells after dark plus rapid actions next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following the judiciary imposed five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure election financing during his election campaign.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case planned for early next year.