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The ex-president of France is preparing a memoir this autumn titled Notes from a Cell, which recounts his experience endured in jail.

The revelation came less than two weeks following the ex-leader was released as he appeals the court ruling related to illegal collaboration regarding a scheme to obtain election campaign funds provided by the regime of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“Behind bars visibility is limited, and nothing to do,” he writes in one passage, indicating the memoir will focus on his reflections while in seclusion rather than wider commentary regarding the strained and struggling French prison system.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where there is endless commotion,” he states. “The racket is alas constant. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is fortified while incarcerated.”

Court Appearance: Recounting the Hardship

At his release request hearing, the former leader was present via screen from a room in prison, describing his time inside as exhausting. He had told the court: “I must acknowledge the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, easing 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 forced upon me. I confess it’s hard, extremely tough. It affects one on any prisoner because it’s gruelling.”

First of Its Kind

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

Before entering jail he declared he intended to spend the period for authoring a memoir.

Books in Prison

It is not certain did he manage to read and critique the three books he brought with him: a biography of Jesus in two parts and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the famous story, in which a blameless person is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge.

Life in Confinement

The former leader remained in isolation for his own security in a cell approximately nine square meters including private facilities at La Santé prison in Paris. Two bodyguards were stationed in the next cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten just yogurt while inside because he feared prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available to prepare his own meals yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. Not known is if he will detail his dietary choices.

Legal Perspective

The legal representative, who saw him regularly each day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings security would be better outside jail than inside. “He received threats against his life, heard shouts at night plus rapid actions next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison last month following a French court gave him five years in prison on conspiracy charges over a scheme to secure political donations during his election campaign.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, with a new trial is scheduled for next spring.