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The ex-president of France will soon publish a book next month titled A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling the period spent in custody.

This news came less than two weeks after the former president left prison while he appeals the guilty verdict related to illegal collaboration in a case to secure political financing linked to the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in a preview, suggesting the memoir centers around his musings during solitary confinement rather than a broader observation on the strained and troubled jail system in France.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in that facility, where one hears constant sound,” he states. “The din is alas constant. But, just like the desert, inner life is strengthened while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

During his plea for freedom, he had appeared remotely from a room in prison, describing his time inside as draining. He had told the court: “I wish to commend to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this ordeal manageable – as it truly is one.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as past president from the EU and the first leader since WWII of France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he mentioned he would use his time for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It is not certain did he manage to read and critique the three books he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, a plot where an innocent man ends up incarcerated but escapes to seek vengeance.

Life in Confinement

Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement due to safety concerns in a space approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at La Santé prison in the city. Two bodyguards stayed in an adjacent room.

Reports indicated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay because he feared any food could have been tampered with. Options were available to cook for himself yet he declined, according to reports. It is uncertain if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who saw him regularly daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail rather than in custody. “There were death threats, has heard screaming during nighttime and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

He entered custody in late October after the judiciary 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 is contesting the ruling, with a new trial is scheduled for early next year.