Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days Behind Bars
Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a memoir in the coming weeks called Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his time spent behind bars.
The announcement was made just 11 days after the ex-leader was released as his appeal proceeds the guilty verdict on charges of unlawful coordination connected to efforts to acquire political financing from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Time in Custody: Personal Reflections
“In prison one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he notes in an extract, implying the memoir centers around his musings during solitary confinement as opposed to wider commentary on the overcrowded and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.
“Silence escapes me, not present in La Santé, where one hears constant sound,” he continues. “The racket unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world grows stronger behind bars.”
Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle
While appealing for release, the former leader participated by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as draining. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this ordeal bearable – as it truly is one.”
“I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It affects one on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.”
Historical Context
He, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to serve time in prison.
Ahead of his incarceration he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity for authoring a memoir.
Books in Prison
It remains unclear did he manage to review and analyze the texts he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, where a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail then breaks out to exact retribution.
Life in Confinement
The former leader was held in isolation to protect him in a space of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in the city. Guards were stationed in the next cell.
It was stated that he had eaten solely dairy snacks in prison due to concerns any food could have been tampered with. He had facilities to prepare his own meals yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if he will detail meals during incarceration.
Legal Perspective
Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client daily during the incarceration, informed the court he would be safer out of prison than inside. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells at night and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”
Case Background
He entered custody last month after a Paris court imposed a half-decade term on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to obtain campaign funds for his presidential bid.
He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, with a new trial planned for the coming spring.