The Former French President to Pen Jail Diary Documenting Two Dozen Days Behind Bars

The ex-president of France is preparing a book this autumn named A Prisoner’s Diary, detailing his time served in custody.

The revelation came just 11 days after the former president left prison while his appeal proceeds the guilty verdict on charges of criminal conspiracy in a case to acquire presidential race money from the leadership of the late Libyan dictator.

Time in Custody: Personal Reflections

“In prison there is nothing to see, with little to occupy time,” he notes in an extract, suggesting the account will focus on his thoughts during solitary confinement rather than a broader observation on the strained and troubled correctional facilities in the country.

“Quiet is absent, which is missing in that facility, where noise is endless commotion,” he adds. “The racket unfortunately never stops. However, akin to empty spaces, one’s inner world grows stronger while incarcerated.”

Release Hearing: Recounting the Hardship

During his plea for freedom, he had appeared by video link from inside the facility, describing his time inside as gruelling. He expressed in court: “I wish to commend to all the prison staff, displaying remarkable compassion, and who have made this difficult experience manageable – since it’s deeply troubling.”

“I never imagined that in my seventies, I’d find myself behind bars. It’s a hardship that has been imposed on me. I confess it’s hard, it’s very hard. It leaves a mark all who experience it due to its intensity.”

Unprecedented Situation

The former president, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, set a precedent as past president in the European Union and the first leader since WWII in the French Republic to serve time in prison.

Before entering jail he had said he planned to utilize the opportunity to write a book.

Books in Prison

It remains unclear whether he had time to read and critique the three books he took into prison: a biography of Jesus in two parts plus the novel by Dumas the famous story, in which an innocent man ends up incarcerated then breaks out to exact retribution.

Daily Reality

He was held secluded due to safety concerns in a room of about nine sq metres including private facilities at La Santé prison located in the capital. Guards stayed in the next cell.

Sources mentioned that he consumed only yoghurts while inside worried that prison cuisine may have been contaminated. Options were available for self-catering but he turned this down, according to reports. It is uncertain if he will detail meals during incarceration.

Lawyer’s Statements

The legal representative, who saw him regularly every day throughout the jail term, told the release hearing security would be better outside jail compared to inside. “There were threats against his life, heard shouts at night and the urgent intervention in a neighbouring cell as a detainee harmed themselves.”

Case Background

He entered custody on 21 October after a French court sentenced him to a half-decade term on conspiracy charges related to a plan to secure political donations for his 2007 presidential race.

He denies wrongdoing challenging the decision, and another court case set for next spring.