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Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir next month called A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts his time served behind bars.

This news emerged just 11 days following the ex-leader left prison as he appeals the court ruling related to criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to obtain presidential race money linked to the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he writes in an extract, indicating the memoir is more about his thoughts while in isolation rather than wider commentary regarding the overcrowded and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where noise is a lot to hear,” he states. “The noise is alas constant. But, just like the desert, inner life grows stronger behind bars.”

Freedom Plea: Sharing the Struggle

While appealing for release, he was present by video link from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He expressed in court: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, easing this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, set a precedent as former head from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure from France to be incarcerated.

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

Books in Prison

Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to go through the volumes he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail but escapes to take revenge.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy remained in isolation to protect him in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail in Paris. Security personnel were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

Sources mentioned that he had eaten just yogurt in prison worried that any food may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals but he turned this down, as per accounts. Unclear remains if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain every day throughout the jail term, informed the court his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts at night plus rapid actions next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

Sarkozy went to prison in late October following the judiciary gave him a half-decade term for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

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