The Former French President Preparing to Release Jail Diary Documenting His 20 Days In Custody
Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a memoir this autumn named Notes from a Cell, which recounts his experience spent in custody.
The announcement emerged less than two weeks after the ex-leader was released as his appeal proceeds the guilty verdict on charges of criminal conspiracy in a case to obtain presidential race money linked to the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.
Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings
“In prison visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he writes in an extract, suggesting the book is more about his thoughts during solitary confinement rather than extensive analysis regarding the overcrowded and struggling jail system in France.
“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where one hears constant sound,” he continues. “The noise is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life grows stronger in prison.”
Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal
During his plea for freedom, he had appeared by video link from his cell, describing his time inside as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who helped make this difficult experience bearable – because it is a nightmare.”
“I never imagined that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, extremely tough. It leaves a mark on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.”
Historical Context
The former president, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as ex-leader of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure from France to be incarcerated.
Ahead of his incarceration he declared he would use his time to write a book.
Books in Prison
It is not certain whether he had time to review and analyze the three books he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned then breaks out to exact retribution.
Prison Conditions
The former leader remained in isolation for his own security in a cell approximately nine square meters featuring a personal bathroom at the correctional facility in the city. Security personnel were stationed in an adjacent room.
Sources mentioned that he had eaten just yogurt in prison worried that prison cuisine could have been tampered with. Although he had access to prepare his own meals yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. It is uncertain if he will detail his dietary choices.
Legal Perspective
His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts at night plus rapid actions in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”
Charges and Sentence
His incarceration began on 21 October when a Paris court gave him a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to obtain political donations during his election campaign.
He disputes the charges and is contesting the ruling, and another court case planned for the coming spring.
