Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Begin Prison Sentence at La Santé

On October 21, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will step behind bars at Paris’ La Santé prison, following his conviction for criminal conspiracy in the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign with Libyan funds in exchange for diplomatic favors. He was sentenced to five years, though he is expected to serve part of that sentence on parole while pursuing an appeal.

Sarkozy is likely to be housed in the prison’s “VIP wing” or in solitary confinement, accommodations reserved for high-profile prisoners whose safety could be at risk, including politicians, former police officers, and individuals linked to extremist groups. La Santé is the only prison in Paris and has long been known for holding notable figures.

Located in a quiet residential corner of the 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s presence is largely discreet, punctuated only by the occasional siren as inmates are transported. Its walls have held infamous figures such as the terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, a.k.a. Carlos the Jackal; notorious bank robber Jacques Mesrine; and even former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. Other prominent inmates have included Alfred Dreyfus and, more recently, Alexandre Benalla, a former aide to Emmanuel Macron.

Sarkozy will not be the first former head of state in the prison. Nevertheless, the prospect of incarceration has not been welcomed. “If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent,” Sarkozy said after his sentencing. His wife, singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has been a constant presence at his side during the legal proceedings.

The VIP wing, refurbished in 2019 after a four-year modernization project, contains 18 identical cells with basic amenities including a cooking hob, fridge, television, shower, toilet, and a fixed telephone line for authorized calls. While the cells are modest in size — about nine square meters each — inmates are not required to share, ensuring additional security.

Former inmates describe the conditions as tolerable but far from comfortable. Marco Mouly, a previous resident of the VIP wing, likened it to “an Ibis Hotel” for its basic amenities, while Didier Schuller noted that noise is a persistent challenge: “At night, you’re woken up by people shouting.”

Despite these measures, high-profile inmates often attract attention from other prisoners. Patrick Balkany, a former mayor of Levallois-Perret who served time in La Santé, said of the experience: “You don’t know when you’re coming out.” Sarkozy, who has vowed to appeal his conviction, faces a similar uncertainty as he prepares for his first night behind bars.