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The ex-president of France plans a memoir this autumn named Notes from a Cell, detailing his time served behind bars.

This news emerged shortly following Sarkozy gained freedom while he appeals the court ruling for unlawful coordination in a case to obtain presidential race money linked to the government of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Personal Reflections

“In prison there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he reflects in an extract, suggesting the account will focus on his musings during seclusion as opposed to wider commentary of the strained and struggling French prison system.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing at the prison, where one hears constant sound,” he continues. “The racket persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is strengthened behind bars.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, Sarkozy was present via screen from inside the facility, depicting prison life as draining. He expressed in court: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, showing great humanity, easing this difficult experience tolerable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It has an impact all who experience it as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was the first former head of an EU country and the first postwar leader from France to serve time in prison.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Reading Material

It is not certain did he manage to go through the volumes he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where an innocent man ends up incarcerated later flees to seek vengeance.

Daily Reality

He remained in isolation for his own security in a room approximately nine square meters including private facilities in the Paris jail in Paris. Two bodyguards stayed in an adjacent room.

It was stated that he had eaten just yogurt during his stay because he feared meals provided might have been spat on. Options were available to cook for himself but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, who visited his client daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings he would be safer released rather than in custody. “He received death threats, has heard screaming at night plus rapid actions next door during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

He entered custody in late October when a Paris court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to secure election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case set for the coming spring.