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Nicolas Sarkozy plans a book next month called A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts his time served in custody.

The revelation was made shortly following the ex-leader left prison while he contests the court ruling for criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to secure election campaign funds from the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“In prison one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he notes in an extract, suggesting the account is more about his musings while in isolation instead of extensive analysis of the packed and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist in that facility, where one hears constant sound,” he states. “The noise is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is strengthened behind bars.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, Sarkozy participated via screen from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as draining. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – as it truly is one.”

“I never imagined that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial I must endure. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It has an impact on any prisoner due to its intensity.”

Unprecedented Situation

He, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head from the EU and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he mentioned he intended to spend the period to compose an account.

Reading Material

Unconfirmed is did he manage to review and analyze the texts he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts together with Dumas’s work the classic tale, where an innocent man ends up incarcerated then breaks out to take revenge.

Daily Reality

Sarkozy remained secluded to protect him in a cell roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in the city. Guards were stationed in an adjacent room.

Reports indicated that he had eaten only yoghurts during his stay due to concerns prison cuisine may have been contaminated. He had facilities for self-catering yet he declined, as per accounts. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain each day while he was in prison, informed the court his safety would improve released than inside. “He received death threats, has heard screaming during nighttime plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began on 21 October following a French court sentenced him to a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges over a scheme to acquire election financing during his election campaign.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and another court case planned for the coming spring.