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The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account this autumn titled Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling his experience served behind bars.

The revelation was made less than two weeks after the ex-leader left prison while he contests his conviction on charges of illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to secure political financing from the regime of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“In prison one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he writes in one passage, indicating the book centers around his musings while in isolation instead of wider commentary of the overcrowded and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where noise is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The noise unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is strengthened behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy participated via screen from a room in prison, describing his time inside as draining. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this nightmare manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I didn’t expect at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It leaves a mark every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

The former president, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, was the first former head from the EU and the first leader since WWII of France to experience jail.

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

Reading Material

It is not certain did he manage to review and analyze the three books he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts together with Dumas’s work The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where a blameless person is imprisoned then breaks out to take revenge.

Life in Confinement

He was held in solitary confinement to protect him in a room roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in the city. Guards occupied an adjacent room.

Reports indicated that he had eaten just yogurt while inside because he feared meals provided could have been tampered with. He had facilities for self-catering but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, who saw him regularly every day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings security would be better out of prison rather than in custody. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells after dark and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following a French court gave him a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges related to a plan to secure political donations during his election campaign.

He maintains his innocence and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial planned for the coming spring.