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The ex-president of France plans a memoir next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his experience endured in custody.

This news emerged just 11 days after Sarkozy gained freedom as he appeals his conviction on charges of criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to acquire presidential race money from the government of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in one passage, suggesting the book centers around his musings during isolation instead of wider commentary regarding the packed and troubled French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing in that facility, where noise is a lot to hear,” he adds. “The din unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, inner life is fortified in prison.”

Freedom Plea: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, the former leader was present remotely from his cell, depicting prison life as draining. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, showing great humanity, and who have made this ordeal manageable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial forced upon me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It affects one every inmate due to its intensity.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, was the first ex-leader from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he would use his time to write a book.

Cell Library

Unconfirmed is whether he had time to read and critique the volumes he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

He was placed in isolation to protect him in a space approximately nine square meters featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards stayed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt during his stay due to concerns meals provided might have been spat on. Options were available to cook for himself but he turned this down, according to reports. Unclear remains if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Defense Viewpoint

His attorney, who visited his client daily during the incarceration, stated during proceedings security would be better released than inside. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts after dark and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison last month following the judiciary sentenced him to a half-decade term for criminal conspiracy related to a plan to secure political donations during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges and is contesting the ruling, and another court case planned for the coming spring.