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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a book this autumn named Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his experience endured in jail.

The announcement was made less than two weeks after Sarkozy left prison as he appeals his conviction for illegal collaboration in a case to secure political financing provided by the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he writes in one passage, indicating the account is more about his musings while in isolation instead of wider commentary of the packed and crisis-hit French prison system.

“I forget silence, which is missing in that facility, where there is a lot to hear,” he continues. “The din persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is strengthened in prison.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

During his plea for freedom, he was present remotely from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, showing great humanity, easing this ordeal tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It has an impact all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

He, who led the nation for a five-year term, became the inaugural past president of an EU country and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.

Cell Library

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes 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 is sentenced to jail then breaks out to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

He was held secluded for his own security in a cell of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail in Paris. Security personnel occupied a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he consumed only yoghurts in prison due to concerns any food may have been contaminated. He had facilities for self-catering but refused this, according to reports. Unclear remains if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, who saw him regularly daily throughout the jail term, told the release hearing his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “He has faced menacing messages, has heard screaming during nighttime and emergency responses next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Charges and Sentence

His incarceration began on 21 October when a Paris court imposed five years in prison on conspiracy charges related to a plan to acquire campaign funds for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial planned for next spring.