Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Prison Memoir Chronicling His 20 Days Behind Bars

The ex-president of France will soon publish a book next month called Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his experience endured in jail.

The revelation came just 11 days after Sarkozy left prison while he contests his conviction for criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire presidential race money linked to the regime of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in one passage, implying the book centers around his musings while in solitary confinement instead of wider commentary on the overcrowded and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.

“Silence escapes me, not present at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is fortified while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, he had appeared by video link from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this nightmare tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, was the first ex-leader from the EU and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he intended to spend the period for authoring a memoir.

Books in Prison

Unconfirmed is whether he had time to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work the famous story, in which a blameless person ends up incarcerated later flees to take revenge.

Life in Confinement

He was held secluded due to safety concerns in a space of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail located in the capital. Security personnel were stationed in an adjacent room.

Sources mentioned his diet consisted solely dairy snacks in prison because he feared meals provided could have been tampered with. Options were available to cook for himself yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly each day while he was in prison, told the release hearing he would be safer released than inside. “He has faced death threats, heard shouts at night plus rapid actions in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following a Paris court imposed a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to secure election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

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