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The ex-president of France is preparing a personal account next month called Diary of a Prisoner, detailing his experience served in jail.

The revelation was made shortly after Sarkozy left prison while he appeals the court ruling related to illegal collaboration connected to efforts to acquire political financing from the regime of the late Libyan dictator.

Prison Experience: Personal Reflections

“In prison visibility is limited, and activities are scarce,” he writes in a preview, indicating the book will focus on his thoughts from solitary confinement rather than extensive analysis regarding the overcrowded and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, not present in that facility, where one hears constant sound,” he continues. “The din unfortunately never stops. But, just like the desert, personal reflection grows stronger while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

During his plea for freedom, Sarkozy had appeared remotely from a room in prison, describing his time inside as exhausting. He had told the court: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, showing great humanity, easing this difficult experience tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d be in prison. It’s an ordeal I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It leaves a mark on any prisoner due to its intensity.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to experience jail.

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

Books in Prison

It is not certain did he manage to read and critique the texts he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned later flees to seek vengeance.

Prison Conditions

The former leader remained secluded due to safety concerns in a cell of about nine sq metres including private facilities at La Santé prison in the city. Security personnel were stationed in a neighbouring cell.

It was stated his diet consisted only yoghurts while inside worried that any food could have been tampered with. Although he had access to cook for himself but refused this, as per accounts. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

Sarkozy’s lawyer, who saw him regularly every day while he was in prison, stated during proceedings his safety would improve released compared to inside. “He received threats against his life, listened to yells after dark and emergency responses in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison on 21 October when the judiciary gave him a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges over a scheme to secure election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing and is contesting the ruling, with a new trial set for next spring.