🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Jail Diary Detailing Two Dozen Days In Custody Nicolas Sarkozy plans a memoir this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his time served in custody. The revelation emerged less than two weeks following Sarkozy left prison as he contests the guilty verdict for illegal collaboration in a case to secure political financing from the regime of the late Libyan dictator. Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections “Behind bars visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, indicating the memoir will focus on his thoughts during isolation as opposed to wider commentary on the packed and troubled French prison system. “I forget silence, not present in that facility, where there is endless commotion,” he adds. “The racket is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life grows stronger behind bars.” Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal At his release request hearing, he participated remotely from his cell, describing his time inside as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this ordeal tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.” Historical Context Sarkozy, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to be incarcerated. Before entering jail he mentioned he would use his time to compose an account. Reading Material It remains unclear did he manage to go through the three books he took into prison: a two-volume biography of Jesus together with Dumas’s work the famous story, where a blameless person is sentenced to jail later flees to exact retribution. Life in Confinement He was placed in solitary confinement to protect him in a cell of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at the correctional facility in Paris. Security personnel occupied a neighbouring cell. It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt while inside because he feared prison cuisine could have been tampered with. Options were available to prepare his own meals yet he declined, as per accounts. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration. Lawyer’s Statements The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain each day while he was in prison, stated during proceedings security would be better released rather than in custody. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells after dark and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.” Charges and Sentence He entered custody on 21 October when a Paris court imposed a half-decade term for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race. He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, and another court case is scheduled for early next year.