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The ex-president of France plans a book next month titled Notes from a Cell, detailing the period spent in jail.

The revelation came shortly after the ex-leader was released while his appeal proceeds the court ruling on charges of unlawful coordination regarding a scheme to secure presidential race money from the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“In prison there is nothing to see, and nothing to do,” he reflects in a preview, implying the account is more about his musings while in isolation instead of wider commentary of the strained and crisis-hit correctional facilities in the country.

“I forget silence, which doesn’t exist in La Santé, where there is a lot to hear,” he continues. “The din is alas constant. But, just like the desert, personal reflection is strengthened in prison.”

Release Hearing: Sharing the Struggle

During his plea for freedom, the former leader was present remotely from his cell, describing his time inside as exhausting. He had told the court: “I wish to commend those working in the jail, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this nightmare manageable – as it truly is one.”

“It never crossed my mind at this stage of life, I would end up incarcerated. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. It’s challenging, I acknowledge, deeply straining. It affects one on any prisoner as it’s exhausting.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, became the inaugural ex-leader in the European Union and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Prior to imprisonment he mentioned he intended to spend the period to compose an account.

Cell Library

It remains unclear if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the texts he brought with him: a life story of Jesus spanning two books and Alexandre Dumas’s novel the classic tale, a plot where an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to exact retribution.

Life in Confinement

Sarkozy was placed secluded due to safety concerns in a cell roughly 100 square feet including private facilities at La Santé prison in the city. Security personnel stayed in the next cell.

Reports indicated that he had eaten only yoghurts during his stay due to concerns meals provided may have been contaminated. Although he had access to cook for himself yet he declined, as per accounts. Not known is if he will detail what he ate in prison.

Defense Viewpoint

The legal representative, who saw him regularly each day throughout the jail term, stated during proceedings his safety would improve out of prison compared to inside. “He has faced death threats, heard shouts during nighttime and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

Sarkozy went to prison in late October after a French court sentenced him to a five-year sentence on conspiracy charges over a scheme to obtain political donations for his presidential bid.

He maintains his innocence and is contesting the ruling, and another court case planned for next spring.