What Lies Ahead the Former President in La Santé Prison and What Personal Items Did He Bring?

Possibly the nation's most notorious jail, La Santé – in which ex-president of France Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five year incarceration for criminal conspiracy to raise political donations from the Libyan government – is the only remaining prison within the city of Paris.

Situated in the south part of Montparnasse area of the capital, it was inaugurated in 1867 and was the scene of at least 40 death penalties, the last in 1972. Partially closed for upgrades in 2014, the prison reopened half a decade later and houses in excess of 1,100 prisoners.

Renowned ex- detainees include poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the financial trader Jérôme Kerviel, the government official and wartime collaborator Maurice Papon, the businessman and politician Bernard Tapie, the terrorist from the 1970s Carlos the Jackal, and model agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Protected Wing for High-Profile Inmates

Prominent or at-risk detainees are typically placed in the jail’s QB4 unit for “protected persons” – the so-called “premium block” – in individual cells, rather than the usual three-inmate cells, and separated during exercise periods for protection purposes.

Positioned on the first floor, the section has nineteen similar rooms and a reserved recreation area so inmates are not forced to interact with other detainees – while they continue to be exposed to whistles, taunts and smartphone photos from nearby cells.

Mostly for this reason, Sarkozy is set to be housed in the isolation ward, which is in a distinct block. In reality, the environment are much the same as in QB4: the former president will be alone in his room and accompanied by a prison officer every time he goes out.

“The goal is to avoid any issues whatsoever, so we must prevent him from coming into contact with other prisoners,” an insider stated. “The easiest and most efficient approach is to place Nicolas Sarkozy directly to isolation.”

Cell Conditions

Each of the solitary and protected units are identical to those in other parts in the jail, measuring about eleven square meters, with window blinds created to restrict communication, a sleeping cot, a compact desk, a shower unit, WC, and stationary phone with authorized contacts only.

Sarkozy will receive standard meals but will additionally have the option to the commissary, where he can acquire groceries to make his own meals, as well as to a individual outdoor space, a exercise room and the book collection. He can rent a refrigerator for seven euros fifty a month and a TV for 14.15 euros.

Limited Social Contact

Apart from three allowed visits a each week, he will mostly be alone – a luxury in the facility, which in spite of its modernization is running at roughly double its intended capacity of 657 detainees. France’s correctional facilities are the third most packed in the EU.

Personal Belongings

Sarkozy, who has steadfastly maintained his non-guilt, has said he will be bringing with him a life story of Jesus and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, by the author Alexandre Dumas, in which an falsely convicted person is condemned to prison but flees to get retribution.

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Jean-Michel Darrois, mentioned he was additionally packing hearing protection because the jail can be noisy at night, and multiple sweaters, because cells can be cold. Sarkozy has commented he is fearless of being in prison and aims to use it to write a book.

Uncertain Duration

The duration is unknown, however, the length of time he will actually be housed in La Santé: his lawyers have lodged for his premature release, and an judge on appeal will have to prove a risk of absconding, repeat offenses or interfering with witnesses to validate his further imprisonment.

French law specialists have suggested he could be out within a month.