Nicolas Sarkozy Set to Write Jail Diary Detailing Three Weeks Behind Bars

The ex-president of France will soon publish a memoir this autumn called Notes from a Cell, which recounts his time spent in custody.

This news emerged less than two weeks after the ex-leader was released as he appeals the court ruling on charges of illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to obtain political financing provided by the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he notes in one passage, suggesting the account is more about his musings from isolation as opposed to a broader observation regarding the overcrowded and troubled jail system in France.

“Quiet is absent, not present in that facility, where there is constant sound,” he continues. “The noise is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life grows stronger behind bars.”

Freedom Plea: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, he had appeared by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this difficult experience bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship forced upon me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It has an impact every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure of France to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he intended to spend the period to compose an account.

Cell Library

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the three books he brought with him: 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 then breaks out to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

He remained secluded to protect him in a room approximately nine square meters including private facilities at the correctional facility located in the capital. Guards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks in prison due to concerns meals provided may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, Christophe Ingrain each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings he would be safer released than inside. “There were menacing messages, heard shouts after dark and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Case Background

His incarceration began in late October after a French court gave him five years in prison for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to acquire election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and a fresh trial is scheduled for early next year.