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Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a book in the coming weeks called Notes from a Cell, which recounts his time served behind bars.

The revelation came just 11 days following the ex-leader left prison while he appeals his conviction for unlawful coordination in a case to obtain presidential race money provided by the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Prison Experience: Solitary Musings

“In prison one sees little, with little to occupy time,” he notes in one passage, suggesting the book is more about his thoughts from seclusion instead of extensive analysis of the packed and struggling French prison system.

“Quiet is absent, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where there is a lot to hear,” he states. “The racket persists relentlessly. Yet, similar to barren lands, personal reflection is fortified in prison.”

Freedom Plea: Sharing the Struggle

While appealing for release, the former leader had appeared via screen from his cell, describing his time inside as draining. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge those working in the jail, who are exceptionally humane, easing this difficult experience tolerable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I never imagined that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a trial that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Historical Context

He, who led the nation from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural former head from the EU and the initial post-WWII figure from France to be incarcerated.

Ahead of his incarceration he had said he intended to spend the period for authoring a memoir.

Reading Material

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the volumes he brought with him: a two-volume biography of Jesus plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which a blameless person ends up incarcerated then breaks out to seek vengeance.

Daily Reality

The former leader was placed in solitary confinement to protect him in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities in the Paris jail in Paris. Guards were stationed in the next cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten only yoghurts during his stay worried that any food may have been contaminated. Although he had access to prepare his own meals but refused this, based on unnamed sources. It is uncertain if the memoir includes what he ate in prison.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain daily while he was in prison, told the release hearing he would be safer released rather than in custody. “He received death threats, has heard screaming at night and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Legal Proceedings

He entered custody last month when a French court imposed a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to secure campaign funds for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and a fresh trial planned for early next year.