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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a book this autumn titled Notes from a Cell, chronicling his experience endured in jail.

The revelation was made just 11 days after the former president left prison while his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to acquire presidential race money provided by the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Inside jail one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he reflects in an extract, implying the account will focus on his musings while in isolation as opposed to a broader observation of the overcrowded and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which is missing at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he adds. “The noise is alas constant. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world is strengthened in prison.”

Freedom Plea: Describing the Ordeal

While appealing for release, Sarkozy was present by video link from a room in prison, depicting prison life as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this nightmare bearable – as it truly is one.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a trial I must endure. I admit it’s difficult, deeply straining. It leaves a mark every inmate as it’s exhausting.”

Historical Context

He, the ex-head of state for a five-year term, set a precedent as past president in the European Union and the initial post-WWII figure in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

Before entering jail he mentioned he would use his time for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It remains unclear whether he had time to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a blameless person is sentenced to jail but escapes to take revenge.

Life in Confinement

He was placed in isolation to protect him in a cell of about nine sq metres featuring a personal bathroom at La Santé prison located in the capital. Two bodyguards occupied the next cell.

Sources mentioned that he had eaten only yoghurts while inside worried that any food might have been spat on. He had facilities to cook for himself but refused this, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains if he will detail what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who visited his client every day while he was in prison, informed the court security would be better out of prison than inside. “He received threats against his life, has heard screaming during nighttime and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison last month following the judiciary sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts to obtain election financing for his presidential bid.

He disputes the charges and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial is scheduled for the coming spring.