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Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a personal account next month called Notes from a Cell, detailing the period endured behind bars.

The announcement emerged just 11 days following the former president was released while he contests his conviction related to criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to acquire election campaign funds provided by the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Inner Thoughts

“Inside jail visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in a preview, indicating the book centers around his musings while in seclusion as opposed to wider commentary of the packed and crisis-hit jail system in France.

“Quiet is absent, which is missing in that facility, where there is endless commotion,” he states. “The noise is alas constant. But, just like the desert, inner life grows stronger while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy was present by video link from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He had told the court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this difficult experience tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I didn’t expect that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It has an impact all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, was the first past president of an EU country and the first postwar leader of France to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he intended to spend the period to write a book.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear did he manage to go through the three books he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned then breaks out to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

Sarkozy was placed secluded to protect him in a space of about nine sq metres including private facilities at La Santé prison located in the capital. Security personnel were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he consumed just yogurt in prison due to concerns prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available for self-catering but refused this, as per accounts. Not known is if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

The legal representative, who visited his client daily during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve outside jail compared to inside. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming at night and emergency responses next door during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began on 21 October after the judiciary gave him five years in prison on conspiracy charges over a scheme to acquire campaign funds during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case set for early next year.