Nicolas Sarkozy Preparing to Release Prison Memoir Chronicling Two Dozen Days In Custody
Nicolas Sarkozy plans a memoir this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his time endured in custody.
The announcement was made less than two weeks after Sarkozy left prison while he contests the guilty verdict on charges of illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to secure election campaign funds provided by the leadership of former Libyan leader.
Life Behind Bars: Solitary Musings
“Inside jail visibility is limited, with little to occupy time,” he notes in one passage, implying the memoir will focus on his thoughts while in solitary confinement as opposed to extensive analysis regarding the overcrowded and crisis-hit jail system in France.
“Silence escapes me, not present in La Santé, where noise is endless commotion,” he states. “The din unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world grows stronger while incarcerated.”
Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship
While appealing for release, he participated via screen from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who helped make this difficult experience tolerable – as it truly is one.”
“I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”
Historical Context
He, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, set a precedent as past president from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure from France to serve time in prison.
Ahead of his incarceration he declared he would use his time for authoring a memoir.
Cell Library
Unconfirmed is whether he had time to read and critique the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work the famous story, a plot where a blameless person is sentenced to jail later flees to seek vengeance.
Life in Confinement
Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement for his own security in a room roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail located in the capital. Security personnel occupied an adjacent room.
Reports indicated that he consumed just yogurt in prison worried that meals provided may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself but he turned this down, based on unnamed sources. It is uncertain if he will detail his dietary choices.
Lawyer’s Statements
Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client daily throughout the jail term, told the release hearing he would be safer released compared to inside. “There were menacing messages, listened to yells at night plus rapid actions in a neighbouring cell when a prisoner self-harmed.”
Legal Proceedings
His incarceration began in late October after a French court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration over a scheme to obtain campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.
He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and a fresh trial set for next spring.
