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The ex-president of France is preparing a book in the coming weeks called Diary of a Prisoner, chronicling his experience served behind bars.

The revelation came just 11 days after Sarkozy gained freedom while his appeal proceeds his conviction for unlawful coordination in a case to obtain presidential race money from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

Prison Experience: Solitary Musings

“In prison one sees little, and activities are scarce,” he writes in one passage, indicating the memoir is more about his musings while in seclusion as opposed to wider commentary of the overcrowded and struggling correctional facilities in the country.

“Silence escapes me, which is missing in that facility, where noise is endless commotion,” he adds. “The noise persists relentlessly. However, akin to empty spaces, personal reflection is fortified while incarcerated.”

Freedom Plea: Recounting the Hardship

While appealing for release, he participated remotely from his cell, depicting prison life as exhausting. He had told the court: “I want to pay tribute to all the prison staff, who are exceptionally humane, easing this difficult experience bearable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“It never crossed my mind that at 70 years of age, I would end up incarcerated. It’s an ordeal that has been imposed on me. I admit it’s difficult, it’s very hard. It affects one all who experience it because it’s gruelling.”

Unprecedented Situation

Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was the first former head from the EU and the first postwar leader in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Prior to imprisonment he had said he would use his time to compose an account.

Reading Material

It is not certain if he found the opportunity to review and analyze the texts he had in his cell: a life story of Jesus spanning two books plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, where a wrongfully accused individual is imprisoned but escapes to take revenge.

Daily Reality

The former leader was placed in isolation to protect him in a space roughly 100 square feet with his own shower and toilet at the correctional facility in the city. Guards occupied the next cell.

It was stated his diet consisted solely dairy snacks during his stay because he feared any food may have been contaminated. Although he had access to prepare his own meals yet he declined, based on unnamed sources. Unclear remains whether Sarkozy will write about his dietary choices.

Legal Perspective

His attorney, who saw him regularly each day during the incarceration, stated during proceedings his safety would improve outside jail rather than in custody. “He has faced menacing messages, listened to yells at night and the urgent intervention next door as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Charges and Sentence

Sarkozy went to prison last month after a French court imposed a five-year sentence for illegal collaboration in connection with efforts to acquire election financing for his 2007 presidential race.

He maintains his innocence challenging the decision, and another court case planned for the coming spring.