🔗 Share this article The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days Behind Bars The ex-president of France will soon publish a memoir next month called Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling his time endured in custody. The announcement was made less than two weeks following Sarkozy left prison while his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to secure presidential race money provided by the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Time in Custody: Personal Reflections “Inside jail visibility is limited, with little to occupy time,” he writes in a preview, indicating the memoir is more about his musings from seclusion instead of a broader observation on the strained and troubled correctional facilities in the country. “Quiet is absent, not present in La Santé, where noise is constant sound,” he adds. “The noise persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, personal reflection is strengthened in prison.” Freedom Plea: Sharing the Struggle During his plea for freedom, the former leader participated via screen from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who have made this ordeal manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “I never imagined that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.” Historical Context He, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural past president in the European Union and the first leader since WWII from France to be incarcerated. Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account. Cell Library Unconfirmed is whether he had time to read and critique the texts he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, where a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to take revenge. Daily Reality He was held in solitary confinement for his own security in a space of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom in the Paris jail located in the capital. Security personnel were stationed in a neighbouring cell. Reports indicated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay because he feared any food could have been tampered with. He had facilities for self-catering yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about 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 outside jail than inside. “He received menacing messages, heard shouts at night and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.” Case Background Sarkozy went to prison in late October following a Paris court gave him five years in prison for illegal collaboration related to a plan to acquire political donations for his 2007 presidential race. He maintains his innocence and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case is scheduled for next spring.