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The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account in the coming weeks named Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his experience endured in jail.

The revelation emerged shortly following Sarkozy gained freedom while he appeals his conviction for criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to acquire election campaign funds provided by the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“In prison one sees little, and nothing to do,” he reflects in one passage, indicating the account is more about his thoughts while in solitary confinement as opposed to wider commentary on the strained and troubled jail system in France.

“I forget silence, which is missing in La Santé, where there is endless commotion,” he continues. “The noise unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Sharing the Struggle

During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy had appeared by video link from his cell, describing his time inside as exhausting. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing this nightmare bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It has an impact every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure from France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he would use his time to write a book.

Books in Prison

It is not certain whether he had time 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 seek vengeance.

Daily Reality

The former leader was held in solitary confinement for his own security in a room of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom in the Paris jail in the city. Two bodyguards were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten only yoghurts in prison because he feared meals provided may have been contaminated. Although he had access for self-catering yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain every day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve outside jail compared to inside. “He received menacing messages, heard shouts during nighttime and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

He entered custody on 21 October following a French court imposed five years in prison on conspiracy charges over a scheme to acquire political donations for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial is scheduled for next spring.