The former French president was granted release under judicial supervision after 20 days behind bars.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has described the prison where he spent 20 days as a noisy, harsh “all-grey” world of violence in a new book.

In Diary Of A Prisoner, the 70-year-old says his own tough-on-crime stance has taken on a new perspective as he recounts the uncommon turn in his life after being found guilty of criminal association in financing his winning 2007 campaign with funds from Libya.

A court sentenced him in September to five years in prison, a ruling he appealed against. He was granted release under judicial supervision after 20 days behind bars.

The book provides a rare look inside Paris’ La Sante prison, where Mr Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement and

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