š Share this article The Former French President Set to Write Jail Diary Chronicling His 20 Days In Custody Nicolas Sarkozy plans a personal account next month named Notes from a Cell, which recounts the period spent behind bars. The announcement was made just 11 days after the former president gained freedom while he appeals the guilty verdict on charges of criminal conspiracy regarding a scheme to secure political financing linked to the government of former Libyan leader. Time in Custody: Personal Reflections āBehind bars one sees little, with little to occupy time,ā he writes in an extract, implying the book is more about his musings during isolation as opposed to extensive analysis regarding the packed and troubled jail system in France. āSilence escapes me, not present at the prison, where one hears constant sound,ā he states. āThe noise is alas constant. But, just like the desert, personal reflection is fortified in prison.ā Court Appearance: Describing the Ordeal At his release request hearing, he was present by video link from inside the facility, characterizing his incarceration as exhausting. He had told the court: āI must acknowledge the correctional officers, showing great humanity, and who have made this nightmare tolerable ā because it is a nightmare.ā āI never imagined that at 70 years of age, Iād find myself behind bars. Itās a hardship I must endure. I confess itās hard, itās very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it because itās gruelling.ā Unprecedented Situation He, who served as Franceās president for a five-year term, became the inaugural ex-leader in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to experience jail. Before entering jail he had said he would use his time for authoring a memoir. Books in Prison Unconfirmed is if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the three books he had in his cell: a two-volume biography of Jesus and Alexandre Dumasās novel the famous story, in which a blameless person is imprisoned but escapes to seek vengeance. Daily Reality Sarkozy was placed secluded due to safety concerns in a cell approximately nine square meters with his own shower and toilet at La SantĆ© prison located in the capital. Security personnel were stationed in an adjacent room. It was stated that he consumed only yoghurts in prison because he feared any food could have been tampered with. He had facilities for self-catering yet he declined, according to reports. It is uncertain whether Sarkozy will write about what he ate in prison. Legal Perspective The legal representative, who visited his client daily during the incarceration, told the release hearing he would be safer outside jail compared to inside. āHe has faced threats against his life, has heard screaming at night plus rapid actions in an adjacent room during an inmateās self-injury.ā Legal Proceedings His incarceration began on 21 October after a Paris court sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to acquire campaign funds during his election campaign. He maintains his innocence and has appealed against the verdict, and a fresh trial is scheduled for next spring.