🔗 Share this article Nicolas Sarkozy Preparing to Release Prison Memoir Detailing Two Dozen Days Behind Bars The ex-president of France will soon publish a book next month titled Notes from a Cell, chronicling the period endured in jail. The revelation was made just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom as his appeal proceeds his conviction on charges of unlawful coordination connected to efforts to obtain election campaign funds linked to the leadership of the late Libyan dictator. Prison Experience: Inner Thoughts “Behind bars one sees little, and nothing to do,” he writes in an extract, implying the book will focus on his thoughts from solitary confinement instead of a broader observation regarding the strained and crisis-hit French prison system. “I forget silence, not present at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he continues. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life grows stronger behind bars.” Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship During his plea for freedom, he was present remotely from a room in prison, describing his time inside as draining. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this nightmare 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 trial forced upon me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It affects one on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.” Unprecedented Situation Sarkozy, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, was the first former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to experience jail. Ahead of his incarceration he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to compose an account. Cell Library It remains unclear did he manage to read and critique the texts he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which a blameless person is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge. Daily Reality The former leader remained secluded for his own security in a room roughly 100 square feet featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison in Paris. Guards were stationed in an adjacent room. Sources mentioned that he had eaten only yoghurts while inside due to concerns meals provided could have been tampered with. Options were available for self-catering but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison. Lawyer’s Statements The legal representative, Christophe Ingrain each day while he was in prison, informed the court his safety would improve released compared to inside. “There were menacing messages, has heard screaming during nighttime and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell when a prisoner self-harmed.” Case Background Sarkozy went to prison last month when a French court imposed five years in prison on conspiracy charges in connection with efforts to obtain election financing for his 2007 presidential race. He disputes the charges challenging the decision, and another court case is scheduled for early next year.