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The ex-president of France is preparing a book this autumn called A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling the period endured in jail.

This news was made less than two weeks after the former president was released as he appeals the court ruling for illegal collaboration connected to efforts to acquire presidential race money linked to the regime of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he writes in an extract, indicating the book is more about his thoughts while in isolation rather than extensive analysis of the packed and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“Silence escapes me, not present in La Santé, where noise is constant sound,” he adds. “The racket unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader was present remotely from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It has an impact every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

First of Its Kind

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, became the inaugural ex-leader of an EU country and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Prior to imprisonment he mentioned he would use his time for authoring a memoir.

Books in Prison

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a two-volume biography of Jesus together with Dumas’s work The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned later flees to seek vengeance.

Daily Reality

He was placed in isolation to protect him in a space approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail located in the capital. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell.

Sources mentioned that he consumed solely dairy snacks while inside due to concerns meals provided might have been spat on. Although he had access for self-catering but he turned this down, according to reports. It is uncertain if he will detail what he ate in prison.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain every day during the incarceration, told the release hearing his safety would improve out of prison rather than in custody. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells after dark and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

He entered custody on 21 October after a French court imposed a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to acquire election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial planned for early next year.