The Former French President to Pen Prison Memoir Documenting Two Dozen Days In Custody
The ex-president of France will soon publish a book next month called Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling his experience spent in jail.
The announcement emerged just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom as he appeals the court ruling on charges of criminal conspiracy connected to efforts to secure presidential race money provided by the government of former Libyan leader.
Time in Custody: Personal Reflections
“In prison one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he notes in one passage, indicating the memoir is more about his musings from seclusion as opposed to extensive analysis of the packed and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.
“Silence escapes me, not present at the prison, where noise is a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, inner life is fortified while incarcerated.”
Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle
During his plea for freedom, the former leader participated via screen from a room in prison, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He had told the court: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, and who helped make this difficult experience bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”
“I never imagined at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial I must endure. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It leaves a mark every inmate due to its intensity.”
Unprecedented Situation
Sarkozy, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader in the European Union and the initial post-WWII figure from France to serve time in prison.
Before entering jail he had said he intended to spend the period to write a book.
Books in Prison
It is not certain whether he had time to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to seek vengeance.
Daily Reality
The former leader was held secluded to protect him in a space approximately nine square meters featuring a personal bathroom in the Paris jail in Paris. Guards were stationed in the next cell.
It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts during his stay because he feared prison cuisine might have been spat on. He had facilities to prepare his own meals but refused this, as per accounts. It is uncertain if he will detail his dietary choices.
Lawyer’s Statements
His attorney, who saw him regularly every day throughout the jail term, told the release hearing his safety would improve out of prison rather than in custody. “There were menacing messages, listened to yells after dark and emergency responses in an adjacent room during an inmate’s self-injury.”
Charges and Sentence
Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October after a Paris court sentenced him to a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to a plan to acquire campaign funds for his presidential bid.
He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, and another court case is scheduled for next spring.
