What to Expect Sarkozy in La Santé Prison and What Personal Items Has He Taken?

Maybe the nation's most legendary prison, La Santé – where former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five year incarceration for criminal conspiracy to solicit election financing from the Libyan government – remains the last remaining prison within the French capital's boundaries.

Situated in the south part of Montparnasse area of the city, it first opened in the year 1867 and hosted of a minimum of 40 executions, the last in 1972. Partially closed for refurbishment in 2014, the institution resumed operations half a decade later and holds more than 1,100 prisoners.

Renowned former prisoners encompass the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the unauthorized trader Jérôme Kerviel, the government official and collaborator with the Nazis Maurice Papon, the tycoon and politician Bernard Tapie, the terrorist from the 1970s Carlos the Jackal, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Protected Wing for Prominent Prisoners

High-profile or endangered detainees are typically placed in the prison's QB4 unit for “individuals at risk” – the so-called “premium block” – in solitary cells, not the typical triple-occupancy cells, and isolated during outdoor activities for safety concerns.

Located on the initial level, the ward has 19 identical units and a dedicated outdoor space so prisoners are not required to interact with other detainees – although they continue to be exposed to shouts, taunts and mobile snapshots from neighboring units.

Primarily for this reason, Sarkozy will reportedly be held in the solitary confinement unit, which is in a isolated area. In reality, circumstances are largely identical as in QB4: the past leader will be alone in his cell and accompanied by a corrections officer every time he goes out.

“The goal is to avoid any incidents at all, so we need to stop him from meeting any inmates,” an insider stated. “The easiest and most effective solution is to place Nicolas Sarkozy straight to solitary confinement.”

Living Quarters

Both solitary and VIP rooms are the same to those in other parts in the jail, averaging approximately 10 sq metres, with window coverings designed to reduce communication, a bed, a small desk, a shower unit, WC, and landline telephone with pre-recorded numbers.

Sarkozy will be served standard meals but will also have the option to the canteen, where he can purchase items to cook for himself, as well as to a small solitary outdoor space, a fitness room and the prison library. He can rent a fridge for €7.50 a monthly and a TV for 14.15 euros.

Controlled Interactions

Besides three allowed visits a per week, he will mainly be alone – a privilege in the facility, which in spite of its modernization is operating at about double its intended capacity of 657 inmates. France’s correctional facilities are the third most congested in the European Union.

Personal Belongings

Sarkozy, who has steadfastly protested his non-guilt, has stated he will be carrying with him a account of Jesus Christ and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, by the author Alexandre Dumas, in which an wrongly accused individual is given a sentence to jail but flees to get retribution.

Sarkozy’s attorney, Jean-Michel Darrois, mentioned he was also bringing earplugs because prison can be loud at nighttime, and several sweaters, because rooms can be chilly. Sarkozy has commented he is unafraid of serving time in prison and aims to make use of the period to write a book.

Release Prospects

The duration is unknown, nevertheless, the length of time he will in fact be housed in the prison: his legal team have submitted for his early release, and an reviewing judge will must establish a potential of escaping, further crimes or interfering with witnesses to warrant his continued detention.

French legal experts have indicated he may be freed in less than a month.