🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Prison Memoir Detailing Two Dozen Days Behind Bars Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a personal account this autumn named Notes from a Cell, which recounts his time endured in jail. The revelation emerged shortly following Sarkozy was released as he contests his conviction on charges of unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to obtain political financing linked to the government of former Libyan leader. Time in Custody: Personal Reflections “Inside jail there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he notes in an extract, suggesting the book will focus on his reflections from seclusion as opposed to a broader observation of the strained and struggling correctional facilities in the country. “Quiet is absent, which is missing in that facility, where noise is constant sound,” he adds. “The din persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is fortified in prison.” Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal While appealing for release, he participated by video link from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who helped make this nightmare manageable – as it truly is one.” “It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It has an impact all who experience it because it’s gruelling.” First of Its Kind Sarkozy, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, set a precedent as former head from the EU and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison. Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned 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 texts he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual ends up incarcerated later flees to seek vengeance. Prison Conditions The former leader remained in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in the city. Guards occupied a neighbouring cell. It was stated his diet consisted just yogurt while inside due to concerns any food might have been spat on. Although he had access for self-catering but refused this, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration. Lawyer’s Statements His attorney, who visited his client every day throughout the jail term, informed the court he would be safer outside jail compared to inside. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells at night and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.” Charges and Sentence Sarkozy went to prison in late October after the judiciary sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to obtain political donations for his 2007 presidential race. He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and another court case is scheduled for next spring.