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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account in the coming weeks named Notes from a Cell, detailing the period endured in custody.

The revelation came shortly following the ex-leader left prison while he appeals his conviction related to criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to acquire presidential race money provided by the regime of the late Libyan dictator.

Prison Experience: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he writes in a preview, implying the memoir will focus on his thoughts while in solitary confinement rather than wider commentary regarding the overcrowded and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where noise is a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, inner life is strengthened behind bars.”

Release Hearing: Describing the Ordeal

At his release request hearing, he was present remotely from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this nightmare manageable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it due to its intensity.”

First of Its Kind

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural past president of an EU country and the initial post-WWII figure from France to experience jail.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he would use his time to compose an account.

Books in Prison

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he had in his cell: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which a wrongfully accused individual ends up incarcerated but escapes to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

The former leader was held in solitary confinement for his own security in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities at La Santé prison in the city. Two bodyguards were stationed in an adjacent room.

It was stated his diet consisted just yogurt during his stay due to concerns any food may have been contaminated. He had facilities to prepare his own meals yet he declined, according to reports. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain every day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings security would be better released than inside. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells after dark plus rapid actions next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October after a Paris court sentenced him to a half-decade term for illegal collaboration related to a plan to obtain campaign funds during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, with a new trial is scheduled for early next year.