December 16th 2025.
It may come as a surprise, but some top politicians are actually advocating for a short stint in prison. This is not for the purpose of punishment, but rather to gain a better understanding of what it truly means to be an inmate in today's correctional homes. In fact, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently spent 20 days in the prison of La Santé in Paris, and he has shared his experience in a new book.
The irony of the prison's name, which translates to "health" or "wellness" in French, is not lost on Sarkozy as he describes it as a noisy, harsh world of "inhuman violence." His vivid account of the appalling conditions in the prison is not the only noteworthy aspect of his book. He also surprises readers with his political shift towards aligning with the Far-Right political outfit in France, going against the traditional "republican front" that keeps them out of power.
In his book "Diary of a Prisoner," the 70-year-old former president reflects on his own tough stance on crime and punishment, and how his perspective has changed after his short experience in prison. He was found guilty of criminal association in financing his 2007 campaign with questionable funds from Libya, and was sentenced to five years in prison. However, he was granted release after 20 days and has appealed the ruling.
Upon the release of his book, hundreds of supporters gathered at a bookshop in a upscale Paris neighbourhood for Sarkozy's first book signing. In the book, he provides a rare look inside the La Santé prison, where he was kept in solitary confinement for security reasons. His only visitors were his wife, supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and his lawyers.
Sarkozy describes his cell as resembling a "cheap hotel," except for the armoured door and bars. His bed consisted of a hard mattress and a plastic-like pillow, and the shower only produced a thin stream of water. The noise in the prison was deafening, especially at night. On his first day, he heard an inmate banging on the bars of his cell with a metal object. It was a threatening atmosphere, and Sarkozy felt like he had entered hell.
He also shares that he refused to eat the prison meals served on small plastic trays, as the smell made him nauseous. Instead, he ate dairy products and cereal bars. He was allowed one hour a day in a small gym room, where he mostly used a basic treadmill. During his time in prison, there were several violent incidents that occurred, which he describes as a "nightmare." This raises questions about the prison system's ability to truly reform and reintegrate inmates back into society.
Sarkozy, known for his tough rhetoric on punishing criminals, has promised to expand on his views and have a more nuanced approach upon his release. However, his book also includes political advice for his conservative Republicans party. He surprisingly reveals that he spoke with his former rival, Marine Le Pen of the Far-Right National Rally, over the phone from prison. He no longer sees her party as a danger to the Republic, and argues that the reconstruction of his party can only be achieved through unity.
While Sarkozy is entitled to his political opinions and strategies, his sudden shift towards aligning with the Far-Right seems like a desperate attempt to protect his own personal interests. This is not uncommon among leaders, as seen with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, who have turned to these groups for personal and political survival. Unfortunately, this often results in the promotion of hatred, religious divide, and racism, all for the sake of staying in power.
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