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Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir in the coming weeks called Notes from a Cell, which recounts his time spent behind bars.

This news came just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom as he contests the guilty verdict related to unlawful coordination in a case to secure presidential race money from the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Inner Thoughts

“In prison visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, implying the memoir centers around his thoughts during solitary confinement instead of extensive analysis on the packed and troubled French prison system.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears endless commotion,” he continues. “The noise persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world is fortified in prison.”

Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal

During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy participated via screen from inside the facility, describing his time inside as gruelling. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who helped make this ordeal manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It leaves a mark on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to read and critique the volumes he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a blameless person is sentenced to jail then breaks out to exact retribution.

Life in Confinement

Sarkozy was placed in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters including private facilities at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards were stationed in the next cell.

Reports indicated that he consumed just yogurt during his stay due to concerns any food could have been tampered with. Although he had access to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, according to reports. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client every day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings security would be better out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells during nighttime and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody on 21 October after a French court sentenced him to five years in prison for illegal collaboration over a scheme to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial set for the coming spring.