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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a memoir this autumn titled Diary of a Prisoner, detailing the period endured behind bars.

The revelation came just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom while he contests the guilty verdict related to unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to obtain election campaign funds provided by the government of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he writes in an extract, suggesting the account will focus on his thoughts during isolation instead of a broader observation of the strained and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears a lot to hear,” he adds. “The noise is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life grows stronger behind bars.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

During his plea for freedom, he had appeared by video link from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing this ordeal manageable – as it truly is one.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It affects one every inmate due to its intensity.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to experience jail.

Prior to imprisonment he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear did he manage to go through the volumes he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the classic tale, a plot where a blameless person ends up incarcerated but escapes to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

The former leader was held secluded due to safety concerns in a space roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility located in the capital. Guards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay due to concerns any food could have been tampered with. Options were available for self-catering yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client each day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings security would be better released than inside. “There were death threats, listened to yells at night and emergency responses next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following the judiciary sentenced him to a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to secure election financing for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and another court case planned for early next year.