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Possibly the nation's most notorious prison, La Santé – where former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five-year prison sentence for illegal conspiracy to solicit political donations from the Libyan government – is the sole surviving prison within the Paris city limits.

Located in the south part of Montparnasse district of the city, it was inaugurated in the year 1867 and was the site of no fewer than 40 executions, the most recent in 1972. Partly shut down for refurbishment in 2014, the prison reopened in 2019 and accommodates over 1,100 detainees.

Well-known past detainees include poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the rogue trader Jérôme Kerviel, the government official and collaborator with the Nazis Maurice Papon, the tycoon and politician Bernard Tapie, the militant from the seventies Carlos the Jackal, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Protected Wing for High-Profile Prisoners

High-profile or vulnerable detainees are usually held in the jail’s QB4 ward for “individuals at risk” – the so-called “VIP quarters” – in individual cells, not the standard three-inmate rooms, and kept alone during yard time for safety concerns.

Situated on the first floor, the unit has a set of uniform cells and a reserved outdoor space so inmates are not forced to mingle with other prisoners – while they continue to be vulnerable to calls, jeers and mobile snapshots from neighboring units.

Primarily for that reason, Sarkozy is set to be housed in the solitary confinement unit, which is in a distinct block. Practically, conditions are very similar as in QB4: the ex-president will be by himself in his room and accompanied by a guard every time he goes out.

“The goal is to avoid any problems whatsoever, so we need to block him from coming into contact with fellow detainees,” a prison source stated. “The most straightforward and most effective solution is to place Nicolas Sarkozy directly to isolation.”

Living Quarters

Each of the isolation and VIP cells are the same to those in other parts in the institution, roughly about 10 sq metres, with coverings on windows created to restrict interaction, a bed, a writing table, a shower unit, toilet, and stationary phone with pre-recorded numbers.

Sarkozy will receive standard meals but will also have the ability to the canteen, where he can purchase groceries to prepare himself, as well as to a private exercise yard, a exercise room and the prison library. He can lease a fridge for €7.50 a per month and a TV for fourteen euros fifteen.

Controlled Interactions

In addition to three permitted visits a each week, he will primarily be alone – a luxury in the prison, which notwithstanding its modernization is running at about twice its intended capacity of 657 prisoners. The country's prisons are the third most congested in the European Union.

Items Brought

Sarkozy, who has consistently asserted his innocence, has said he will be carrying with him a account of Jesus and a edition of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, in which an falsely convicted person is condemned to prison but flees to get retribution.

Sarkozy’s attorney, Jean-Michel Darrois, said he was also taking hearing protection because the facility can be loud at night, and multiple sweaters, because rooms can be cool. Sarkozy has stated he is fearless of being in prison and aims to make use of the period to compose a manuscript.

Possible Early Release

It remains uncertain, however, for how long he will in fact remain in the prison: his lawyers have already filed for his premature release, and an appeals judge will must establish a chance of flight, reoffending or influencing testimony to justify his ongoing incarceration.

French law specialists have suggested he may be freed before a month passes.