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The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account this autumn named A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling his time served behind bars.

The announcement was made shortly following the ex-leader gained freedom as his appeal proceeds the court ruling related to illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to secure election campaign funds from the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“In prison there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he writes in an extract, indicating the book will focus on his thoughts from solitary confinement rather than extensive analysis on the strained and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, not present in that facility, where noise is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The racket is alas constant. But, just like the desert, inner life is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, the former leader was present by video link from his cell, depicting prison life as draining. He had told the court: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this ordeal manageable – as it truly is one.”

“I didn’t expect that in my seventies, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It leaves a mark every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as past president of an EU country and the first postwar leader of France to be incarcerated.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It is not certain did he manage to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to take revenge.

Daily Reality

The former leader remained secluded to protect him in a space roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in the city. Guards were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated that he consumed only yoghurts during his stay due to concerns prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Although he had access for self-catering yet he declined, according to reports. It is uncertain if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client every day throughout the jail term, informed the court his safety would improve out of prison compared to inside. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts during nighttime plus rapid actions in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Case Background

His incarceration began in late October after a Paris court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to secure campaign funds during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case planned for the coming spring.