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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts his experience endured behind bars.

The revelation was made less than two weeks after Sarkozy gained freedom as his appeal proceeds his conviction related to criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to obtain election campaign funds linked to the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“In prison visibility is limited, with little to occupy time,” he writes in an extract, suggesting the account centers around his musings from isolation as opposed to a broader observation of the strained and struggling jail system in France.

“Quiet is absent, not present in that facility, where there is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The noise is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world grows stronger while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Sharing the Struggle

During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy was present remotely from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who have made this nightmare manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It affects one every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader of France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he intended to spend the period to compose an account.

Reading Material

It is not certain did he manage to review and analyze the three books he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work The Count of Monte Cristo, where a blameless person is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

The former leader was placed in solitary confinement to protect him in a space roughly 100 square feet including private facilities at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts in prison because he feared any food might have been spat on. Options were available for self-catering yet he declined, as per accounts. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain every day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve released than inside. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells at night and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Case Background

His incarceration began on 21 October when a Paris court gave him a half-decade term for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to secure election financing for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and another court case is scheduled for early next year.