The Former French President Set to Write Prison Memoir Detailing His 20 Days Incarcerated
Nicolas Sarkozy plans a personal account this autumn called Notes from a Cell, detailing his experience served in jail.
The announcement came less than two weeks following Sarkozy was released as he contests his conviction for unlawful coordination in a case to obtain election campaign funds from the government of Muammar Gaddafi.
Time in Custody: Personal Reflections
“Behind bars there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he notes in a preview, suggesting the account will focus on his musings while in isolation rather than a broader observation of the strained and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.
“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in that facility, where noise is constant sound,” he continues. “The racket persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is strengthened in prison.”
Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship
At his release request hearing, the former leader had appeared via screen from inside the facility, describing his time inside as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, and who helped make this nightmare manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”
“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”
Historical Context
The former president, the ex-head of state between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural former head from the EU and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.
Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he would use his time to compose an account.
Reading Material
Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he took into prison: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to seek vengeance.
Life in Confinement
The former leader was placed in solitary confinement to protect him in a room roughly 100 square feet including private facilities at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards were stationed in the next cell.
Sources mentioned his diet consisted only yoghurts while inside due to concerns meals provided could have been tampered with. He had facilities to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, based on unnamed sources. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.
Legal Perspective
His attorney, who saw him regularly daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings his safety would improve outside jail than inside. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming after dark and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”
Case Background
His incarceration began on 21 October following a French court gave him five years in prison on conspiracy charges over a scheme to acquire election financing for his 2007 presidential race.
He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial planned for early next year.
