🔗 Share this article The Former French President Set to Write Prison Memoir Detailing His 20 Days Behind Bars The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account next month titled Notes from a Cell, which recounts the period served in jail. The revelation was made shortly after the ex-leader gained freedom as he contests the guilty verdict for illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to obtain presidential race money linked to the government of the late Libyan dictator. Life Behind Bars: Inner Thoughts “In prison one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he notes in a preview, indicating the memoir is more about his thoughts while in seclusion rather than wider commentary on the strained and troubled jail system in France. “Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where one hears endless commotion,” he continues. “The din persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is strengthened behind bars.” Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle At his release request hearing, he had appeared by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as draining. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this difficult experience bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, extremely tough. It has an impact on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.” Unprecedented Situation He, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as past president of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure of France to experience jail. Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he intended to spend the period to write a book. Books in Prison It is not certain whether he had time to go through the texts he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where an innocent man ends up incarcerated then breaks out to exact retribution. Prison Conditions Sarkozy was held in isolation for his own security in a space of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail in Paris. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell. Sources mentioned that he had eaten just yogurt while inside due to concerns meals provided may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, as per accounts. It is uncertain if the memoir includes his dietary choices. Legal Perspective The legal representative, who saw him regularly daily during the incarceration, told the release hearing he would be safer out of prison than inside. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming after dark and emergency responses next door during an inmate’s self-injury.” Case Background His incarceration began on 21 October following the judiciary imposed a half-decade term on conspiracy charges related to a plan to secure election financing for his presidential bid. He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial is scheduled for the coming spring.