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The ex-president of France is preparing a personal account in the coming weeks titled Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his time endured in jail.

The announcement was made shortly after the former president gained freedom while he contests the guilty verdict related to illegal collaboration in a case to acquire political financing provided by the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Life Behind Bars: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he notes in one passage, indicating the memoir will focus on his reflections while in isolation as opposed to extensive analysis on the strained and troubled jail system in France.

“I forget silence, which is missing in that facility, where there is constant sound,” he states. “The racket unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is strengthened in prison.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader had appeared by video link from his cell, describing his time inside as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this nightmare manageable – as it truly is one.”

“I didn’t expect that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Prior to imprisonment he mentioned he intended to spend the period to write a book.

Reading Material

It is not certain whether he had time to read and critique the three books he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, a plot where an innocent man is sentenced to jail then breaks out to take revenge.

Life in Confinement

Sarkozy remained secluded to protect him in a room approximately nine square meters including private facilities in the Paris jail in the city. Guards were stationed in the next cell.

Reports indicated his diet consisted just yogurt while inside worried that any food could have been tampered with. Options were available to prepare his own meals but refused this, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client daily throughout the jail term, told the release hearing security would be better outside jail rather than in custody. “He has faced death threats, listened to yells during nighttime plus rapid actions next door during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Case Background

He entered custody on 21 October following a French court imposed a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to obtain election financing for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial planned for the coming spring.