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The ex-president of France plans a book in the coming weeks called A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling the period served in custody.

The revelation emerged shortly following the ex-leader left prison as his appeal proceeds the court ruling for unlawful coordination in a case to obtain election campaign funds from the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in an extract, indicating the book will focus on his musings while in isolation rather than wider commentary regarding the overcrowded and struggling French prison system.

“I forget silence, not present in La Santé, where noise is a lot to hear,” he continues. “The din unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world is fortified in prison.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy was present by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as draining. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I didn’t expect at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It leaves a mark on any prisoner due to its intensity.”

First of Its Kind

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as past president in the European Union and the first leader since WWII of France to experience jail.

Ahead of his incarceration he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Books in Prison

Unconfirmed is whether he had time to review and analyze the volumes he had in his cell: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where an innocent man is imprisoned then breaks out to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

He remained in solitary confinement for his own security in a space approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in the city. Two bodyguards occupied the next cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted only yoghurts in prison worried that prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly each day throughout the jail term, informed the court he would be safer released than inside. “There were death threats, listened to yells during nighttime plus rapid actions next door during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Legal Proceedings

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October when a French court gave him five years in prison for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to obtain campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He maintains his innocence and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial set for the coming spring.