🔗 Share this article The Former French President to Pen Jail Diary Detailing Three Weeks In Custody Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir this autumn named Notes from a Cell, detailing his time served in jail. The announcement emerged just 11 days after the ex-leader left prison as he contests the guilty verdict related to criminal conspiracy in a case to obtain election campaign funds linked to the government of former Libyan leader. Prison Experience: Inner Thoughts “Inside jail one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he notes in a preview, suggesting the book centers around his musings from solitary confinement as opposed to a broader observation on the strained and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country. “Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where there is constant sound,” he adds. “The racket unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is fortified behind bars.” Court Appearance: Describing the Ordeal During his plea for freedom, he had appeared by video link from inside the facility, describing his time inside as exhausting. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, showing great humanity, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.” “It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it due to its intensity.” First of Its Kind The former president, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, was the first past president from the EU and the first postwar leader of France to be incarcerated. Before entering jail he had said he would use his time to compose an account. Books in Prison It remains unclear did he manage to go through the texts he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned later flees to take revenge. Life in Confinement He was held in isolation for his own security in a space roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison in Paris. Security personnel occupied a neighbouring cell. Sources mentioned that he had eaten only yoghurts during his stay worried that any food may have been contaminated. He had facilities to cook for himself but he turned this down, based on unnamed sources. Not known is if he will detail his dietary choices. Defense Viewpoint His attorney, who saw him regularly daily while he was in prison, informed the court his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “He has faced menacing messages, has heard screaming during nighttime and emergency responses next door during an inmate’s self-injury.” Case Background His incarceration began on 21 October following a Paris court gave him five years in prison for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to obtain election financing for his 2007 presidential race. He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, and another court case is scheduled for early next year.