🔗 Share this article The Former French President Set to Write Prison Memoir Detailing Two Dozen Days In Custody Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account in the coming weeks titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing the period served behind bars. The announcement was made shortly after Sarkozy gained freedom while he appeals the court ruling related to unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to secure presidential race money linked to the government of former Libyan leader. Time in Custody: Solitary Musings “In prison visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in an extract, suggesting the book centers around his reflections while in isolation instead of extensive analysis on the strained and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country. “I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in that facility, where noise is constant sound,” he continues. “The din is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is fortified in prison.” Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy was present via screen from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, easing this ordeal bearable – as it truly is one.” “It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It leaves a mark every inmate because it’s gruelling.” First of Its Kind He, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head of an EU country and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison. Before entering jail he had said he would use his time for authoring a memoir. Books in Prison Unconfirmed is did he manage to read and critique the volumes he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge. Daily Reality The former leader remained in isolation to protect him in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in Paris. Guards stayed in an adjacent room. It was stated that he consumed just yogurt during his stay due to concerns any food might have been spat on. Although he had access to cook for himself but he turned this down, based on unnamed sources. It is uncertain if the memoir includes meals during incarceration. Legal Perspective His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day while he was in prison, stated during proceedings security would be better released rather than in custody. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells at night and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.” Legal Proceedings His incarceration began in late October following a French court gave him a half-decade term on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to secure election financing for his 2007 presidential race. He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case planned for the coming spring.