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The ex-president of France will soon publish a memoir in the coming weeks named A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling his experience served behind bars.

The revelation was made less than two weeks after the former president left prison while he appeals the court ruling for unlawful coordination connected to efforts to obtain political financing linked to the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“In prison one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in a preview, suggesting the book will focus on his thoughts while in seclusion rather than a broader observation of the packed and struggling French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing at the prison, where one hears constant sound,” he adds. “The noise persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world is fortified in prison.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy participated via screen from inside the facility, depicting prison life as exhausting. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, showing great humanity, easing this nightmare bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It has an impact all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

He, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, became the inaugural past president of an EU country and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he mentioned he intended to spend the period for authoring a memoir.

Books in Prison

Unconfirmed is whether he had time to read and critique the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the classic tale, in which a blameless person is sentenced to jail later flees to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

The former leader was held in isolation for his own security in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in the city. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell.

It was stated that he consumed only yoghurts while inside because he feared meals provided might have been spat on. Although he had access for self-catering but refused this, as per accounts. Unclear remains if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, who saw him regularly daily throughout the jail term, told the release hearing his safety would improve out of prison than inside. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts at night and emergency responses in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began on 21 October after a French court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to acquire political donations for his presidential bid.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case is scheduled for the coming spring.