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Maybe France’s most fabled prison, La Santé – in which ex-president of France Nicolas Sarkozy is now serving a five-year jail term for illegal conspiracy to raise political donations from Libya – remains the sole surviving prison within the French capital's boundaries.

Found in the southern Montparnasse neighborhood of the capital, it opened in 1867 and was the site of at least 40 death penalties, the most recent in 1972. Partially shut down for upgrades in 2014, the prison resumed operations in 2019 and accommodates in excess of 1,100 inmates.

Renowned past prisoners include poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the unauthorized trader Jérôme Kerviel, the public servant and Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon, the entrepreneur and political figure Bernard Tapie, the terrorist from the 1970s Carlos the Jackal, and talent scout Jean-Luc Brunel.

Protected Wing for Notable Inmates

Prominent or at-risk detainees are usually placed in the prison's QB4 section for “protected persons” – the often called “premium block” – in individual cells, rather than the standard three-inmate cells, and isolated during exercise periods for protection purposes.

Situated on the initial level, the ward has 19 identical rooms and a private exercise yard so detainees are not forced to interact with other prisoners – although they remain vulnerable to whistles, insults and cellphone pictures from nearby cells.

Mainly for that reason, Sarkozy is expected to be placed in the solitary confinement unit, which is in a separate wing. Actually, conditions are largely identical as in the QB4 ward: the ex-president will be solitary in his room and escorted by a corrections officer whenever he goes out.

“The aim is to prevent any problems whatsoever, so we must prevent him from coming into contact with other prisoners,” a source within the facility commented. “The most straightforward and best solution is to place Nicolas Sarkozy straight to isolation.”

Cell Conditions

Both solitary and VIP units are similar to those in other parts in the institution, measuring about 10 sq metres, with window coverings intended to restrict interaction, a bed, a writing table, a shower unit, lavatory, and landline telephone with pre-recorded numbers.

Sarkozy will be served standard meals but will additionally have the ability to the canteen, where he can purchase groceries to cook for himself, as well as to a private recreation area, a fitness room and the library. He can lease a fridge for €7.50 a month and a television for 14.15 euros.

Restricted Visits

Besides three authorized meetings a week, he will mainly be on his own – an advantage in the facility, which in spite of its modernization is running at roughly double its planned occupancy of 657 prisoners. France’s correctional facilities are the third most packed in the EU bloc.

Items Brought

Sarkozy, who has repeatedly protested his non-guilt, has declared he will be bringing with him a account of Jesus and a edition of The Count of Monte Cristo, by the author Alexandre Dumas, in which an innocent man is given a sentence to jail but breaks out to get retribution.

Sarkozy’s attorney, Jean-Michel Darrois, mentioned he was additionally packing noise blockers because prison can be disruptive at nighttime, and a few jumpers, because cells can be cold. Sarkozy has commented he is unafraid of serving time in prison and plans to make use of the period to compose a manuscript.

Release Prospects

It is unclear, nevertheless, for how long he will really remain in the facility: his attorneys have lodged for his premature release, and an reviewing judge will must establish a risk of absconding, further crimes or influencing testimony to warrant his further imprisonment.

France's legal experts have suggested he could be out within a month.