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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a personal account next month called Notes from a Cell, which recounts his experience served in jail.

The announcement was made less than two weeks following the ex-leader left prison as he appeals the guilty verdict on charges of illegal collaboration in a case to secure election campaign funds provided by the government of former Libyan leader.

Prison Experience: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in one passage, indicating the memoir centers around his thoughts from seclusion instead of extensive analysis on the packed and crisis-hit French prison system.

“I forget silence, which is missing in La Santé, where there is constant sound,” he continues. “The noise persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection grows stronger behind bars.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

At his release request hearing, the former leader was present by video link from a room in prison, describing his time inside as gruelling. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this ordeal bearable – as it truly is one.”

“It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, it’s very hard. It affects one on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as ex-leader from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure of France to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he mentioned he would use his time to compose an account.

Reading Material

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to read and critique the three books he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

Sarkozy was held in isolation to protect him in a cell of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail in the city. Two bodyguards occupied a neighbouring cell.

Reports indicated that he consumed just yogurt in prison due to concerns prison cuisine could have been tampered with. Options were available to prepare his own meals but refused this, according to reports. Unclear remains if the memoir includes meals during incarceration.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly each day throughout the jail term, informed the court security would be better out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced menacing messages, has heard screaming during nighttime plus rapid actions next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began last month following the judiciary imposed five years in prison for illegal collaboration related to a plan to obtain election financing during his election campaign.

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