🔗 Share this article The Former French President Preparing to Release Prison Memoir Chronicling Two Dozen Days In Custody Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir in the coming weeks named A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts the period endured in custody. The announcement was made shortly after the ex-leader was released as his appeal proceeds the court ruling related to criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to obtain political financing provided by the government of Muammar Gaddafi. Time in Custody: Solitary Musings “In prison visibility is limited, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in a preview, implying the book is more about his reflections during solitary confinement rather than a broader observation regarding the packed and troubled correctional facilities in the country. “Quiet is absent, not present in La Santé, where one hears constant sound,” he continues. “The racket persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is fortified behind bars.” Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship During his plea for freedom, he had appeared remotely from inside the facility, depicting prison life as exhausting. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this difficult experience bearable – as it truly is one.” “It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It has an impact on any prisoner due to its intensity.” Historical Context He, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as past president in the European Union and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison. Prior to imprisonment he had said he would use his time to write a book. Reading Material It remains unclear whether he had time to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, in which an innocent man ends up incarcerated later flees to seek vengeance. Life in Confinement Sarkozy was placed in solitary confinement to protect him in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities at the correctional facility in the city. Guards occupied the next cell. Reports indicated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks while inside worried that any food may have been contaminated. He had facilities to cook for himself but refused this, as per accounts. Unclear remains if he will detail what he ate in prison. Defense Viewpoint His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day throughout the jail term, told the release hearing security would be better out of prison than inside. “There were threats against his life, has heard screaming after dark plus rapid actions in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.” Legal Proceedings Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following a French court sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to a plan to acquire political donations for his presidential bid. He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and another court case is scheduled for early next year.