The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Chronicling Three Weeks Incarcerated
The ex-president of France plans a book next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling his experience served behind bars.
The announcement was made just 11 days after the ex-leader gained freedom while he contests his conviction related to criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to acquire political financing from the regime of former Libyan leader.
Time in Custody: Solitary Musings
“Inside jail visibility is limited, with little to occupy time,” he writes in one passage, implying the book centers around his thoughts while in isolation rather than extensive analysis regarding the overcrowded and crisis-hit French prison system.
“Quiet is absent, which is missing in that facility, where noise is endless commotion,” he adds. “The noise persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is strengthened behind bars.”
Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal
While appealing for release, he was present by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who helped make this difficult experience bearable – because it is a nightmare.”
“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It leaves a mark every inmate because it’s gruelling.”
First of Its Kind
He, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader of an EU country and the first leader since WWII of France to be incarcerated.
Ahead of his incarceration he had said he intended to spend the period for authoring a memoir.
Books in Prison
Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to go through the texts he took into prison: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, a plot where a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to seek vengeance.
Daily Reality
The former leader was held secluded for his own security in a cell of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison located in the capital. Guards occupied the next cell.
Sources mentioned that he had eaten only yoghurts in prison due to concerns any food might have been spat on. Although he had access for self-catering but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.
Defense Viewpoint
Sarkozy’s lawyer, who visited his client each day throughout the jail term, told the release hearing his safety would improve out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced threats against his life, heard shouts after dark and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell when a prisoner self-harmed.”
Case Background
Sarkozy went to prison in late October when the judiciary gave him a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration over a scheme to obtain campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.
He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial is scheduled for next spring.