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The ex-president of France plans a personal account this autumn called A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing the period spent in custody.

The revelation emerged just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom while he appeals the guilty verdict for unlawful coordination connected to efforts to obtain election campaign funds provided by the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he notes in a preview, suggesting the memoir will focus on his musings during solitary confinement instead of extensive analysis of the overcrowded and struggling French prison system.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where one hears a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy was present by video link from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He had told the court: “I wish to commend to all the prison staff, showing great humanity, and who have made this nightmare bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship I must endure. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as past president of an EU country and the first leader since WWII from France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Reading Material

Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the texts he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, a plot where a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

He was placed in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities at La Santé prison in Paris. Guards occupied the next cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten just yogurt while inside worried that meals provided could have been tampered with. Although he had access to prepare his own meals but refused this, according to reports. Unclear remains if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain each day during the incarceration, told the release hearing security would be better released rather than in custody. “There were death threats, heard shouts after dark and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison last month after a French court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure election financing during his election campaign.

He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial is scheduled for the coming spring.