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The ex-president of France plans a personal account next month named Diary of a Prisoner, detailing the period spent behind bars.

This news was made less than two weeks following the former president left prison as his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire political financing provided by the regime of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he writes in a preview, indicating the book will focus on his reflections while in isolation instead of a broader observation regarding the packed and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, not present in La Santé, where there is constant sound,” he adds. “The din persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, inner life is strengthened in prison.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, the former leader participated via screen from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal I must endure. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It has an impact on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, who led the nation for a five-year term, was the first ex-leader from the EU and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he mentioned he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear whether he had time to go through the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned but escapes to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

The former leader remained secluded to protect him in a room roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in the city. Two bodyguards stayed in an adjacent room.

It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts in prison due to concerns any food may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself yet he declined, as per accounts. It is uncertain if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client daily throughout the jail term, told the release hearing security would be better outside jail than inside. “He has faced threats against his life, listened to yells at night plus rapid actions in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison in late October after a Paris court imposed a half-decade term for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to secure campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case planned for early next year.