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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a memoir in the coming weeks called Diary of a Prisoner, detailing his time endured in jail.

The revelation was made just 11 days after Sarkozy gained freedom as he contests the guilty verdict on charges of unlawful coordination connected to efforts to obtain presidential race money from the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“In prison there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he notes in one passage, suggesting the memoir will focus on his reflections while in solitary confinement as opposed to a broader observation on the packed and struggling French prison system.

“Quiet is absent, not present at the prison, where one hears constant sound,” he continues. “The din persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is fortified while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader participated via screen from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who helped make this difficult experience bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It has an impact every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as ex-leader from the EU and the first postwar leader from France to experience jail.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

Unconfirmed is did he manage to review and analyze the texts he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, a plot where an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy was placed secluded due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in Paris. Security personnel occupied a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay due to concerns meals provided may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself but refused this, according to reports. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Legal Perspective

The legal representative, who saw him regularly every day during the incarceration, told the release hearing he would be safer outside jail compared to inside. “He received threats against his life, has heard screaming at night and the urgent intervention next door during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Legal Proceedings

He entered custody last month when the judiciary imposed five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to acquire political donations for his presidential bid.

He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial set for next spring.