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Nicolas Sarkozy plans a book in the coming weeks named Notes from a Cell, detailing his time served in jail.

The announcement was made just 11 days following the ex-leader gained freedom as he contests the guilty verdict for criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire election campaign funds from the government of former Libyan leader.

Time in Custody: Solitary Musings

“Inside jail one sees little, and nothing to do,” he writes in an extract, indicating the book will focus on his thoughts while in solitary confinement as opposed to extensive analysis regarding the overcrowded and crisis-hit jail system in France.

“I forget silence, which is missing at the prison, where noise is endless commotion,” he adds. “The din is alas constant. Yet, similar to barren lands, one’s inner world is strengthened in prison.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, he participated via screen from inside the facility, depicting prison life as gruelling. He stated to the judge: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, easing this ordeal bearable – because it is a nightmare.”

“I didn’t expect that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship I must endure. I confess it’s hard, deeply straining. It affects one every inmate because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president for a five-year term, was the first former head in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to be incarcerated.

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

Books in Prison

Unconfirmed is did he manage to read and critique the three books he had in his cell: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the classic tale, in which a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned later flees to take revenge.

Prison Conditions

The former leader was held secluded to protect him in a space of about nine sq metres with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in Paris. Security personnel were stationed in the next cell.

It was stated that he consumed only yoghurts during his stay because he feared prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available to cook for himself yet he declined, according to reports. Not known is if the memoir includes his dietary choices.

Lawyer’s Statements

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain daily while he was in prison, stated during proceedings security would be better out of prison compared to inside. “He received death threats, has heard screaming at night plus rapid actions next door during an inmate’s self-injury.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison in late October when a French court sentenced him to a half-decade term for illegal collaboration over a scheme to acquire campaign funds for his 2007 presidential race.

He disputes the charges and has appealed against the verdict, and another court case set for next spring.