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Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir in the coming weeks called Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts the period served behind bars.

The revelation was made shortly after the former president left prison while he appeals his conviction for criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire election campaign funds provided by the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“In prison visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he reflects in one passage, suggesting the book is more about his thoughts during seclusion rather than extensive analysis of the strained and crisis-hit French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing in that facility, where noise is a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is strengthened behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

During his plea for freedom, he had appeared remotely from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who have made this difficult experience tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It has an impact all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

He, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as ex-leader from the EU and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Reading Material

It remains unclear whether he had time to go through the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Life in Confinement

The former leader was placed in solitary confinement for his own security in a space approximately nine square meters featuring a personal bathroom at the correctional facility in Paris. Two bodyguards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he had eaten only yoghurts during his stay due to concerns any food might have been spat on. He had facilities for self-catering but refused this, according to reports. Unclear remains if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client daily during the incarceration, stated during proceedings he would be safer out of prison rather than in custody. “There were menacing messages, heard shouts after dark and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began on 21 October after the judiciary gave him a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial planned for the coming spring.