Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to begin a prison sentence on October 21, following his conviction for criminal conspiracy related to allegedly financing his 2007 presidential campaign with Libyan funds in exchange for diplomatic favors. He was sentenced to five years in prison, though he may be eligible for early release on parole.

Sarkozy plans to appeal the conviction but will likely be housed in either solitary confinement or the VIP wing of La Santé prison in Paris. This special wing is reserved for inmates deemed vulnerable in the general population, such as politicians, former law enforcement officers, and individuals connected to extremist groups.

Inside La Santé

Located in Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé has long housed high-profile prisoners. Notable former inmates include:

• Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (“Carlos the Jackal”), notorious terrorist of the 1970s–1990s
• Jacques Mesrine, infamous bank robber and murderer
• Alfred Dreyfus, wrongly convicted in a historic antisemitism case
• Alexandre Benalla, former bodyguard to Emmanuel Macron
• Manuel Noriega, former Panamanian dictator

The prison underwent a four-year renovation and reopened in 2019. Cells in the VIP wing, about nine square meters each, include a cooking hob, fridge, shower, toilet, television, and a fixed telephone line for approved calls. Occupants generally do not share cells, for safety reasons.

The Reality Behind Bars

Despite modern amenities, life in La Santé can be challenging. Former VIP-wing inmate Marco Mouly likened it to an “Ibis Hotel,” but others warn that the constant noise—prisoners shouting or insulting new arrivals—can make nights difficult. Didier Schuller, a former politician, described the sleepless nights caused by other inmates’ shouting. Sarkozy, given his fame, will likely attract attention from fellow prisoners.

Sarkozy has expressed indignation over his sentence, calling it a “scandal” and asserting his innocence. He was accompanied in court by his wife, singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who is expected to be among his first visitors.

Former La Santé inmates emphasize the uncertainty of release. Patrick Balkany, former mayor of Levallois-Perret, told BFMTV: “You know when you’re going in, you don’t know when you’re coming out.”

Sarkozy’s entry into La Santé will mark a rare moment: a former world leader confined in one of France’s most famous prisons, joining a list of high-profile inmates whose notoriety has left a mark on the facility’s long history.