The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days In Custody
The ex-president of France plans a personal account this autumn called Notes from a Cell, chronicling his experience endured behind bars.
The revelation emerged just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom as his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of unlawful coordination in a case to secure political financing provided by the regime of the late Libyan dictator.
Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts
“Inside jail one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he writes in an extract, implying the book is more about his thoughts from solitary confinement rather than extensive analysis on the strained and struggling jail system in France.
“Quiet is absent, not present in La Santé, where there is endless commotion,” he states. “The noise persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection grows stronger while incarcerated.”
Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship
At his release request hearing, Sarkozy was present via screen from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this nightmare manageable – as it truly is one.”
“I never imagined that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It has an impact on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”
Historical Context
He, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, was the first ex-leader from the EU and the first leader since WWII from France to be incarcerated.
Prior to imprisonment he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.
Cell Library
It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, where a blameless person ends up incarcerated then breaks out to seek vengeance.
Daily Reality
He was placed secluded due to safety concerns in a cell of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at the correctional facility in the city. Security personnel stayed in the next cell.
Reports indicated that he consumed only yoghurts while inside because he feared meals provided may have been contaminated. He had facilities for self-catering but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail what he ate in prison.
Legal Perspective
Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly every day while he was in prison, stated during proceedings security would be better released than inside. “There were menacing messages, has heard screaming at night and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”
Case Background
He entered custody last month when a French court imposed a half-decade term for illegal collaboration related to a plan to acquire political donations for his presidential bid.
He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, with a new trial planned for the coming spring.