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The ex-president of France will soon publish a memoir in the coming weeks named A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing the period spent behind bars.

The revelation was made less than two weeks following Sarkozy was released as he contests the court ruling for illegal collaboration connected to efforts to secure presidential race money linked to the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Prison Experience: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he notes in an extract, suggesting the account is more about his reflections from solitary confinement instead of a broader observation of the packed and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears a lot to hear,” he adds. “The din unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is fortified in prison.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy had appeared remotely from inside the facility, describing his time inside as draining. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, showing great humanity, and who helped make this ordeal tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It leaves a mark every inmate due to its intensity.”

Historical Context

The former president, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, was the first ex-leader of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he had said he would use his time to compose an account.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail later flees to take revenge.

Life in Confinement

The former leader was held in isolation for his own security in a room approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in Paris. Security personnel stayed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay because he feared meals provided might have been spat on. Options were available for self-catering but he turned this down, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains if he will detail his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain every day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings security would be better out of prison rather than in custody. “There were menacing messages, has heard screaming at night plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

His incarceration began on 21 October when the judiciary sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to acquire campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial set for early next year.