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The ex-president of France will soon publish a memoir next month titled Diary of a Prisoner, which recounts his time served behind bars.

This news emerged less than two weeks following the ex-leader gained freedom as he contests the court ruling related to illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to obtain presidential race money provided by the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“Behind bars there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he reflects in one passage, indicating the memoir will focus on his musings from seclusion instead of extensive analysis of the packed and crisis-hit French prison system.

“I forget silence, which is missing at the prison, where one hears endless commotion,” he adds. “The noise persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, the former leader was present remotely from his cell, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this difficult experience manageable – as it truly is one.”

“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It has an impact all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural past president in the European Union and the initial post-WWII figure of France to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he declared he would use his time to write a book.

Cell Library

Unconfirmed is did he manage to read and critique the three books he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, a plot where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned later flees to take revenge.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities at the correctional facility located in the capital. Security personnel stayed in the next cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten solely dairy snacks during his stay worried that meals provided could have been tampered with. Options were available to cook for himself but refused this, as per accounts. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, who visited his client every day during the incarceration, informed the court his safety would improve released rather than in custody. “There were threats against his life, has heard screaming during nighttime plus rapid actions in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody last month following a French court gave him a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges over a scheme to obtain campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial planned for early next year.