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The ex-president of France is preparing a personal account this autumn called Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his experience spent in custody.

The revelation emerged less than two weeks after Sarkozy left prison as he contests the guilty verdict on charges of illegal collaboration in a case to acquire presidential race money provided by the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in one passage, indicating the memoir is more about his reflections from isolation instead of extensive analysis on the overcrowded and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where one hears a lot to hear,” he adds. “The racket persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, personal reflection is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy had appeared remotely from his cell, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He expressed in court: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, easing this difficult experience manageable – as it truly is one.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It has an impact on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Books in Prison

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, where a blameless person is sentenced to jail later flees to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy remained secluded due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters including private facilities at the correctional facility in the city. Two bodyguards were stationed in the next cell.

It was stated that he had eaten solely dairy snacks in prison due to concerns any food may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself yet he declined, according to reports. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

His attorney, who visited his client each day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings security would be better released than inside. “He has faced menacing messages, listened to yells during nighttime and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison in late October when the judiciary imposed a half-decade term on conspiracy charges related to a plan to obtain political donations during his election campaign.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, with a new trial is scheduled for early next year.