The Former French President to Pen Prison Memoir Documenting His 20 Days In Custody

The ex-president of France is preparing a book next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing the period served in jail.

The announcement was made less than two weeks following the ex-leader gained freedom while he appeals his conviction related to criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to obtain political financing from the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he writes in one passage, indicating the memoir will focus on his reflections from seclusion as opposed to extensive analysis of the overcrowded and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which is missing in that facility, where there is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The racket unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, personal reflection is fortified while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

During his plea for freedom, the former leader was present remotely from inside the facility, describing his time inside as gruelling. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who have made this difficult experience bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal I must endure. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It affects one every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader from France to experience jail.

Prior to imprisonment he declared he would use his time to compose an account.

Cell Library

It remains unclear did he manage to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, a plot where a blameless person is imprisoned later flees to take revenge.

Daily Reality

He was held secluded due to safety concerns in a cell roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison located in the capital. Guards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks during his stay because he feared meals provided might have been spat on. Options were available for self-catering but refused this, as per accounts. Not known is if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain every day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings his safety would improve released compared to inside. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells after dark and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October following a Paris court imposed a half-decade term on conspiracy charges over a scheme to obtain election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial is scheduled for the coming spring.