Nicolas Sarkozy to Pen Prison Memoir Documenting Two Dozen Days In Custody
Nicolas Sarkozy plans a memoir in the coming weeks titled Diary of a Prisoner, detailing his experience spent in jail.
This news came just 11 days after the former president gained freedom as he contests the guilty verdict on charges of criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire presidential race money linked to the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.
Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts
“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and activities are scarce,” he writes in a preview, indicating the account is more about his thoughts from isolation instead of a broader observation regarding the overcrowded and struggling jail system in France.
“Silence escapes me, not present in that facility, where noise is endless commotion,” he continues. “The noise is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is strengthened in prison.”
Court Appearance: Describing the Ordeal
During his plea for freedom, he had appeared remotely from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – as it truly is one.”
“I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It has an impact every inmate as it’s exhausting.”
Historical Context
Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.
Prior to imprisonment he mentioned he would use his time to compose an account.
Books in Prison
Unconfirmed is did he manage to review and analyze the three books he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, a plot where an innocent man is sentenced to jail later flees to seek vengeance.
Prison Conditions
Sarkozy was placed in solitary confinement to protect him in a cell of about nine sq metres including private facilities at the correctional facility in the city. Two bodyguards occupied an adjacent room.
It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt while inside due to concerns prison cuisine might have been spat on. He had facilities for self-catering but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.
Legal Perspective
His attorney, who visited his client daily throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings he would be safer out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced death threats, listened to yells at night and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”
Legal Proceedings
His incarceration began in late October following a Paris court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to acquire political donations for his presidential bid.
He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and a fresh trial is scheduled for early next year.
