What to Expect the Former President in La Santé Prison and What Personal Items Has He Taken?
Maybe the nation's most fabled prison, the La Santé prison – in which former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is now serving a five year jail term for criminal conspiracy to obtain political donations from Libya – is the only remaining prison inside the city of Paris.
Situated in the south part of Montparnasse neighborhood of the city, it first opened in the year 1867 and was the scene of at least 40 executions, the last in 1972. Partly shut down for upgrades in 2014, the facility reopened in 2019 and holds more than 1,100 detainees.
Famous past detainees encompass poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the unauthorized trader Jérôme Kerviel, the public servant and Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon, the businessman and politician Bernard Tapie, the 70s terrorist Carlos the Jackal, and model agent Jean-Luc Brunel.
Special Treatment for Prominent Inmates
Notable or vulnerable inmates are typically accommodated in the prison's QB4 ward for “vulnerable people” – the so-called “premium block” – in individual cells, not the standard three-inmate units, and separated during outdoor activities for security reasons.
Positioned on the initial level, the section has a set of uniform cells and a private outdoor space so inmates are not obliged to mingle with other prisoners – while they remain exposed to shouts, taunts and smartphone photos from neighboring units.
Primarily for such concerns, Sarkozy will reportedly be held in the solitary confinement unit, which is in a separate wing. Practically, circumstances are largely identical as in the QB4 ward: the past leader will be solitary in his room and supervised by a guard each time he exits.
“The goal is to avoid any incidents at all, so we need to stop him from coming into contact with other prisoners,” a source within the facility stated. “The simplest and most effective method is to send Nicolas Sarkozy straight to solitary confinement.”
Cell Conditions
Each of the solitary and VIP cells are similar to those in other parts in the institution, roughly approximately 10 square meters, with window blinds intended to restrict contact, a bed, a compact desk, a shower, lavatory, and fixed-line phone with pre-set numbers.
Sarkozy will be served typical prison food but will additionally have the option to the canteen, where he can purchase food to make his own meals, as well as to a private outdoor space, a exercise room and the library. He can lease a fridge for €7.50 a month and a television for €14.15.
Controlled Interactions
Apart from three authorized meetings a each week, he will mainly be by himself – an advantage in La Santé, which despite its recent renovation is operating at about twice its planned occupancy of 657 inmates. France’s jails are the third most packed in the EU.
Items Brought
Sarkozy, who has repeatedly maintained his innocence, has declared he will be carrying with him a life story of Jesus and a edition of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, in which an falsely convicted person is sentenced to jail but breaks out to get retribution.
Sarkozy’s attorney, Jean-Michel Darrois, mentioned he was also bringing earplugs because prison can be disruptive at during the night, and a few jumpers, because rooms can be chilly. Sarkozy has stated he is not scared of being in prison and aims to utilize the time to write a manuscript.
Release Prospects
It remains uncertain, however, the length of time he will actually stay in the facility: his lawyers have lodged for his premature release, and an reviewing judge will must establish a risk of flight, further crimes or interfering with witnesses to justify his continued detention.
French jurists have proposed he might be released before a month passes.
