The Former French President Preparing to Release Prison Memoir Documenting His 20 Days Incarcerated

The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account next month titled Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling the period spent in custody.

This news emerged shortly after the ex-leader gained freedom while his appeal proceeds the guilty verdict for unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to acquire political financing from the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he writes in an extract, implying the book centers around his reflections while in isolation rather than a broader observation regarding the strained and troubled French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears endless commotion,” he states. “The din persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world grows stronger while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, he had appeared via screen from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, easing this ordeal manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial forced upon me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It has an impact on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

Sarkozy, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural former head from the EU and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he declared he intended to spend the period for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the three books he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, a plot where a blameless person is sentenced to jail later flees to take revenge.

Daily Reality

He remained secluded to protect him in a cell approximately nine square meters including private facilities at La Santé prison in the city. Guards were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he consumed just yogurt during his stay because he feared any food might have been spat on. Options were available for self-catering but refused this, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who saw him regularly each day while he was in prison, informed the court his safety would improve out of prison rather than in custody. “There were threats against his life, listened to yells at night and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody last month when the judiciary imposed five years in prison on conspiracy charges over a scheme to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial planned for the coming spring.