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Nicolas Sarkozy plans a book in the coming weeks called Notes from a Cell, which recounts the period spent behind bars.

The announcement was made less than two weeks following the ex-leader was released while he contests the court ruling on charges of illegal collaboration connected to efforts to obtain presidential race money provided by the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars one sees little, and nothing to do,” he reflects in a preview, indicating the memoir is more about his reflections from solitary confinement instead of extensive analysis on the packed and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, not present at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he states. “The din persists relentlessly. But, just like the desert, one’s inner world grows stronger while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader participated by video link from his cell, describing his time inside as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I want to pay tribute the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who have made this ordeal tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It affects one on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

Sarkozy, the ex-head of state from 2007 to 2012, was the first past president in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

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

Cell Library

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to go through the three books he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail then breaks out to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

He was held in isolation for his own security in a room approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in Paris. Security personnel occupied a neighbouring cell.

Sources mentioned his diet consisted just yogurt during his stay worried that prison cuisine could have been tampered with. Options were available to cook for himself but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Legal Perspective

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain daily during the incarceration, told the release hearing he would be safer outside jail compared to inside. “There were threats against his life, heard shouts after dark and the urgent intervention in an adjacent room as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

He entered custody in late October after the judiciary sentenced him to a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges over a scheme to obtain election financing during his election campaign.

He disputes the charges challenging the decision, with a new trial is scheduled for next spring.