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The ex-president of France plans a book this autumn titled A Prisoner’s Diary, which recounts his experience served in jail.

The revelation was made shortly after Sarkozy gained freedom while he appeals the guilty verdict for unlawful coordination connected to efforts to secure election campaign funds from the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Inner Thoughts

“In prison one sees little, and nothing to do,” he notes in a preview, suggesting the memoir centers around his thoughts during isolation instead of wider commentary regarding the strained and troubled French prison system.

“I forget silence, not present in that facility, where one hears constant sound,” he states. “The noise persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, inner life is strengthened in prison.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

While appealing for release, the former leader participated via screen from a room in prison, describing his time inside as draining. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend the correctional officers, who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this ordeal tolerable – as it truly is one.”

“It never crossed my mind that in my seventies, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal forced upon me. I admit it’s difficult, extremely tough. It has an impact on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

First of Its Kind

The former president, who led the nation between 2007 and 2012, became the inaugural former head from the EU and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he had said he would use his time to compose an account.

Books in Prison

It is not certain 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 Count of Monte Cristo, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Prison Conditions

The former leader remained in isolation for his own security in a space of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet in the Paris jail located in the capital. Guards occupied an adjacent room.

It was stated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks during his stay because he feared prison cuisine might have been spat on. Options were available to cook for himself but he turned this down, according to reports. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about meals during incarceration.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, who saw him regularly each day throughout the jail term, informed the court his safety would improve out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced death threats, has heard screaming at night and the urgent intervention next door when a prisoner self-harmed.”

Legal Proceedings

He entered custody last month when a French court imposed a half-decade term for illegal collaboration over a scheme to obtain campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial set for next spring.