The Former French President to Pen Prison Memoir Documenting His 20 Days In Custody
Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a book next month named A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts the period endured behind bars.
The revelation was made just 11 days after the former president gained freedom while he appeals the guilty verdict on charges of criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to obtain political financing from the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.
Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings
“In prison visibility is limited, with little to occupy time,” he writes in a preview, suggesting the book will focus on his reflections during solitary confinement rather than extensive analysis of the strained and struggling correctional facilities in the country.
“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where one hears constant sound,” he adds. “The din is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is strengthened in prison.”
Freedom Plea: Sharing the Struggle
During his plea for freedom, the former leader participated by video link from a room in prison, describing his time inside as draining. He expressed in court: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who have made this ordeal tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”
“I never imagined that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It leaves a mark on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”
Unprecedented Situation
He, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, set a precedent as past president of an EU country and the first postwar leader from France to serve time in prison.
Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account.
Reading Material
It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the three books he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual ends up incarcerated then breaks out to take revenge.
Life in Confinement
Sarkozy was held in isolation for his own security in a room of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in Paris. Guards were stationed in an adjacent room.
Reports indicated his diet consisted just yogurt in prison because he feared any food might have been spat on. He had facilities to prepare his own meals but refused this, as per accounts. Not known is if he will detail meals during incarceration.
Defense Viewpoint
His attorney, who saw him regularly each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “He has faced threats against his life, has heard screaming after dark plus rapid actions in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”
Charges and Sentence
Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following a Paris court sentenced him to five years in prison on conspiracy charges related to a plan to obtain election financing for his presidential bid.
He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial set for next spring.
