The Former French President Set to Write Prison Memoir Documenting Three Weeks In Custody
The ex-president of France will soon publish a personal account this autumn titled Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling his time spent in custody.
The revelation was made just 11 days following the ex-leader left prison while his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to obtain election campaign funds linked to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings
“Behind bars one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he reflects in an extract, implying the memoir centers around his thoughts while in solitary confinement instead of extensive analysis on the overcrowded and troubled jail system in France.
“Silence escapes me, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where noise is a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is fortified while incarcerated.”
Court Appearance: Describing the Ordeal
While appealing for release, Sarkozy was present by video link from his cell, describing his time inside as draining. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, easing this nightmare manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”
“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”
First of Its Kind
He, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as ex-leader of an EU country and the first postwar leader from France to serve time in prison.
Prior to imprisonment he had said he intended to spend the period to write a book.
Books in Prison
It is not certain whether he had time to go through the three books he had in his cell: a two-volume biography of Jesus together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, where an innocent man ends up incarcerated but escapes to exact retribution.
Prison Conditions
The former leader was held secluded to protect him in a space of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at the correctional facility in the city. Guards were stationed in the next cell.
It was stated that he had eaten only yoghurts while inside because he feared prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself but he turned this down, as per accounts. It is uncertain if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.
Lawyer’s Statements
His attorney, Christophe Ingrain every day throughout the jail term, informed the court his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “There were menacing messages, has heard screaming after dark plus rapid actions in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”
Case Background
His incarceration began on 21 October when the judiciary sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to acquire political donations for his presidential bid.
He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial set for next spring.
