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Nicolas Sarkozy will soon publish a memoir next month called Notes from a Cell, which recounts the period spent in custody.

This news emerged less than two weeks after the ex-leader gained freedom while his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of unlawful coordination in a case to acquire presidential race money linked to the leadership of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“In prison one sees little, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, suggesting the account is more about his reflections while in seclusion as opposed to extensive analysis regarding the overcrowded and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist at the prison, where noise is constant sound,” he adds. “The racket unfortunately never stops. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world grows stronger behind bars.”

Court Appearance: Sharing the Struggle

At his release request hearing, he had appeared via screen from inside the facility, depicting prison life as exhausting. He stated to the judge: “I must acknowledge to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this difficult experience tolerable – as it truly is one.”

“I never imagined at this stage of life, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it due to its intensity.”

First of Its Kind

He, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, was the first former head from the EU and the first postwar leader of France to serve time in prison.

Ahead of his incarceration he declared he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Reading Material

It remains unclear whether he had time to review and analyze the three books he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual is sentenced to jail later flees to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

He remained in isolation to protect him in a cell roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail in the city. Security personnel stayed in the next cell.

It was stated his diet consisted just yogurt while inside because he feared meals provided could have been tampered with. Options were available to cook for himself but he turned this down, according to reports. Not known is whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, Christophe Ingrain each day while he was in prison, stated during proceedings his safety would improve out of prison compared to inside. “He received menacing messages, has heard screaming during nighttime and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

His incarceration began last month following a Paris court imposed a half-decade term for illegal collaboration related to a plan to acquire election financing during his election campaign.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and another court case set for next spring.