Nicolas Sarkozy plans a book this autumn titled Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his time spent behind bars.
The announcement was made just 11 days following Sarkozy was released as he appeals the guilty verdict for unlawful coordination connected to efforts to obtain presidential race money from the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.
Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts
“Inside jail there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he writes in an extract, suggesting the memoir will focus on his musings during seclusion rather than extensive analysis on the packed and troubled French prison system.
“I forget silence, which is missing in that facility, where one hears a lot to hear,” he states. “The noise is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is strengthened while incarcerated.”
Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal
During his plea for freedom, he was present by video link from inside the facility, describing his time inside as draining. He expressed in court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”
“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It has an impact every inmate as it’s exhausting.”
Historical Context
Sarkozy, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, became the inaugural past president from the EU and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to serve time in prison.
Before entering jail he had said he intended to spend the period to write a book.
Reading Material
Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the classic tale, in which a blameless person is sentenced to jail then breaks out to seek vengeance.
Prison Conditions
The former leader was placed secluded for his own security in a cell roughly 100 square feet including private facilities in the Paris jail in the city. Two bodyguards were stationed in an adjacent room.
It was stated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks in prison worried that prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains if the memoir includes his dietary choices.
Legal Perspective
Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client every day throughout the jail term, informed the court he would be safer out of prison than inside. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming during nighttime and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”
Case Background
His incarceration began last month when the judiciary imposed a half-decade term for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to obtain election financing during his election campaign.
He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial planned for the coming spring.
