🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days Behind Bars The ex-president of France is preparing a memoir next month named Notes from a Cell, chronicling the period spent in custody. The revelation was made just 11 days following the ex-leader left prison while he contests his conviction for criminal conspiracy in a case to secure political financing linked to the leadership of former Libyan leader. Prison Experience: Solitary Musings “Behind bars there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he writes in an extract, implying the account is more about his reflections during solitary confinement instead of a broader observation of the packed and troubled correctional facilities in the country. “Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist in that facility, where one hears endless commotion,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world grows stronger while incarcerated.” Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy was present remotely from a room in prison, describing his time inside as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – as it truly is one.” “I never imagined that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It affects one all who experience it as it’s exhausting.” First of Its Kind He, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader of an EU country and the first leader since WWII of France to be incarcerated. Before entering jail he declared he would use his time for authoring a memoir. Books in Prison It is not certain if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail but escapes to seek vengeance. Life in Confinement He remained in solitary confinement to protect him in a room roughly 100 square feet including private facilities at La Santé prison located in the capital. Guards were stationed in a neighbouring cell. It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt during his stay due to concerns meals provided might have been spat on. Options were available to prepare his own meals but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains if he will detail his dietary choices. Defense Viewpoint The legal representative, who visited his client daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail rather than in custody. “There were menacing messages, heard shouts during nighttime and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.” Charges and Sentence His incarceration began on 21 October following the judiciary gave him a half-decade term on conspiracy charges related to a plan to secure election financing during his election campaign. He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial set for early next year.