🔗 Share this article What Awaits Sarkozy in La Santé Prison and What Belongings Has He Taken? Possibly the nation's most legendary jail, La Santé – where former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has started a five-year jail term for criminal conspiracy to solicit political donations from Libya – is the only remaining prison within the city of Paris. Found in the southern Montparnasse neighborhood of the capital, it was inaugurated in 1867 and was the scene of a minimum of 40 capital punishments, the most recent in 1972. Partially closed for upgrades in 2014, the prison resumed operations in 2019 and houses in excess of 1,100 prisoners. Renowned former prisoners encompass poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the rogue trader Jérôme Kerviel, the civil servant and Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon, the entrepreneur and politician Bernard Tapie, the terrorist from the 1970s Carlos the Jackal, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. VIP Quarters for High-Profile Inmates High-profile or at-risk inmates are typically accommodated in the prison's QB4 section for “individuals at risk” – the often called “VIP quarters” – in single cells, rather than the usual three-inmate cells, and isolated during outdoor activities for protection purposes. Positioned on the first floor, the section has a set of uniform rooms and a reserved recreation area so inmates are not obliged to mix with fellow inmates – while they continue to be vulnerable to shouts, insults and cellphone pictures from neighboring units. Mostly for this reason, Sarkozy will reportedly be held in the isolation ward, which is in a separate wing. Actually, conditions are largely identical as in the QB4 ward: the ex-president will be solitary in his unit and accompanied by a prison officer whenever he leaves it. “The goal is to avoid any issues whatsoever, so we need to stop him from coming into contact with fellow detainees,” a prison source commented. “The easiest and most efficient solution is to place Nicolas Sarkozy directly to isolation.” Living Quarters Both solitary and protected units are similar to those in other parts in the jail, roughly about eleven square meters, with window coverings created to restrict communication, a sleeping cot, a writing table, a shower unit, WC, and fixed-line phone with pre-set numbers. Sarkozy is provided with regular meals but will also have access to the canteen, where he can purchase groceries to prepare himself, as well as to a individual recreation area, a gym and the book collection. He can lease a cooling unit for 7.50 euros a per month and a television for fourteen euros fifteen. Controlled Interactions In addition to three allowed visits a each week, he will mostly be alone – an advantage in La Santé, which in spite of its recent renovation is functioning at about twice its intended capacity of 657 prisoners. France’s correctional facilities are the third most packed in the European Union. Items Brought Sarkozy, who has repeatedly 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 Alexandre Dumas, in which an falsely convicted person is given a sentence to prison but breaks out to get retribution. Sarkozy’s attorney, Jean-Michel Darrois, said he was additionally bringing earplugs because the facility can be loud at nighttime, and multiple sweaters, because cells can be cold. Sarkozy has said he is not scared of spending time in prison and intends to utilize the time to author a book. Possible Early Release It is unclear, however, for how long he will actually stay in the prison: his legal team have already filed for his conditional release, and an reviewing judge will have to prove a chance of escaping, repeat offenses or influencing testimony to validate his continued detention. France's legal experts have indicated he might be released in less than a month.