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Nicolas Sarkozy plans a memoir this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, chronicling his experience spent in jail.

The announcement was made just 11 days after Sarkozy left prison as he appeals the guilty verdict on charges of unlawful coordination connected to efforts to secure election campaign funds from the government of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Personal Reflections

“Inside jail one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in an extract, implying the memoir is more about his musings from isolation as opposed to a broader observation of the overcrowded and troubled French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing in La Santé, where there is constant sound,” he adds. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection grows stronger behind bars.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, Sarkozy participated remotely from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this nightmare bearable – as it truly is one.”

“I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I’d be in prison. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It leaves a mark all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, was the first former head of an EU country and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he declared he intended to spend the period to write a book.

Books in Prison

Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the classic tale, in which a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Life in Confinement

The former leader was placed in isolation for his own security in a cell approximately nine square meters including private facilities in the Paris jail located in the capital. Two bodyguards were stationed in the next cell.

Sources mentioned his diet consisted only yoghurts while inside due to concerns any food might have been spat on. He had facilities to cook for himself but refused this, as per accounts. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, who visited his client each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings he would be safer outside jail than inside. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts during nighttime plus rapid actions in a neighbouring cell during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

His incarceration began on 21 October when the judiciary gave him a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration related to a plan to secure campaign funds for his presidential bid.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case planned for the coming spring.