From Power to Prison: Nicolas Sarkozy's New Chapter Behind Bars

Nicolas Sarkozy, former French president, begins a five-year sentence in Paris's La Sante prison, after being convicted of criminal conspiracy in a Libyan campaign finance case. Despite claiming innocence, he will serve his term in isolation, using the time to write a book. La Sante, known for housing notable figures, was recently renovated and offers better conditions than most French prisons.

On Tuesday, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy reported to La Sante prison in Paris to serve a five-year sentence following his conviction for criminal conspiracy. The charges relate to his attempts to secure campaign funding from Libya during Muammar Gaddafi's leadership. Despite his claims of innocence, Sarkozy begins his time in one of France's most secure isolation wards.

La Sante prison, with its notable history of housing leftist militant Carlos the Jackal and Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, will ensure Sarkozy remains in isolation, according to prison administration director Sebastien Cauwel. His prior aide, Claude Gueant, will serve time in a special unit designed for vulnerable individuals, known colloquially as the 'VIP quarters.'

Conditions in La Sante, recently upgraded, now include private showers and landlines in cells. Sarkozy, planning to devote his time to writing, expressed he is unafraid of jail. As French prisons face overcrowding issues, Sarkozy amid 1,243 inmates in a space fit for 657, will also highlight ongoing reforms led by Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to tighten inmate conditions countrywide.

(With inputs from agencies.)