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

Possibly the nation's most notorious jail, La Santé – where former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five-year jail term for illegal conspiracy to solicit political donations from Libya – remains the last remaining prison inside the French capital's boundaries.

Situated in the south part of Montparnasse district of the city, it first opened in 1867 and was the scene of at least 40 death penalties, the final one in 1972. Partly closed for upgrades in 2014, the prison reopened five years later and accommodates more than 1,100 prisoners.

Famous past prisoners encompass the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the financial trader Jérôme Kerviel, the government official and wartime collaborator Maurice Papon, the entrepreneur 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 prisoners are generally held in the prison's QB4 section for “individuals at risk” – the dubbed “premium block” – in solitary cells, rather than the typical three-inmate cells, and separated during outdoor activities for protection purposes.

Positioned on the initial level, the ward has 19 identical cells and a reserved outdoor space so prisoners are not required to interact with fellow inmates – even though they are still exposed to shouts, jeers and mobile snapshots from neighboring units.

Primarily for that reason, Sarkozy will reportedly be held in the segregated section, which is in a isolated area. In reality, conditions are very similar as in QB4: the former president will be by himself in his room and accompanied by a prison officer every time he goes out.

“The objective is to prevent any incidents at all, so we must prevent him from coming into contact with fellow detainees,” a prison source stated. “The most straightforward and most effective solution is to place Nicolas Sarkozy immediately to solitary confinement.”

Accommodation Details

Both solitary and protected cells are identical to those in other parts in the prison, measuring about 10 sq metres, with window coverings intended to limit contact, a sleeping cot, a writing table, a shower unit, lavatory, and fixed-line phone with pre-recorded numbers.

Sarkozy will receive regular meals but will also have the ability to the prison store, where he can buy items to make his own meals, as well as to a individual recreation area, a gym and the prison library. He can lease a refrigerator for 7.50 euros a monthly and a television for 14.15 euros.

Controlled Interactions

Apart from three permitted visits a per week, he will mainly be on his own – a privilege in La Santé, which notwithstanding its recent renovation is operating at approximately twice its planned occupancy of 657 inmates. The country's jails are the third most overcrowded in the European Union.

Items Brought

Sarkozy, who has repeatedly maintained his innocence, has said he will be bringing with him a biography of Jesus and a edition of The Count of Monte Cristo, by the author Alexandre Dumas, in which an innocent man is condemned to jail but breaks out to get retribution.

Sarkozy’s legal counsel, Jean-Michel Darrois, mentioned he was additionally packing hearing protection because the jail can be noisy at night, and a few jumpers, because rooms can be cold. Sarkozy has commented he is unafraid of spending time in prison and plans to make use of the period to write a manuscript.

Release Prospects

The duration is unknown, nevertheless, how long he will really be housed in La Santé: his legal team have lodged for his premature release, and an reviewing judge will have to prove a potential of flight, further crimes or witness-tampering to warrant his further imprisonment.

France's jurists have suggested he could be out before a month passes.