🔗 Share this article The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Documenting Two Dozen Days In Custody The ex-president of France plans a personal account this autumn titled Diary of a Prisoner, detailing his time endured in custody. The announcement was made shortly following Sarkozy gained freedom as he contests the guilty verdict on charges of illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to secure election campaign funds provided by the government of former Libyan leader. Time in Custody: Solitary Musings “Behind bars there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he notes in an extract, suggesting the book is more about his reflections from solitary confinement rather than wider commentary of the strained and troubled jail system in France. “Quiet is absent, which is missing at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he adds. “The racket unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is fortified while incarcerated.” Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal While appealing for release, the former leader had appeared remotely from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this ordeal bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It affects one every inmate as it’s exhausting.” Unprecedented Situation The former president, who led the nation for a five-year term, became the inaugural ex-leader from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure from France to be incarcerated. Before entering jail he mentioned he intended to spend the period to write a book. Cell Library It is not certain if he found the opportunity to go through the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which a wrongfully accused individual ends up incarcerated but escapes to exact retribution. Daily Reality The former leader was held in solitary confinement for his own security in a cell approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail located in the capital. Guards occupied a neighbouring cell. Sources mentioned that he had eaten only yoghurts in prison due to concerns prison cuisine might have been spat on. Although he had access to prepare his own meals yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail his dietary choices. Defense Viewpoint Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings security would be better out of prison rather than in custody. “There were death threats, heard shouts after dark and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.” Legal Proceedings Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October when the judiciary gave him a half-decade term for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to acquire election financing for his presidential bid. He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case set for the coming spring.