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Maybe the nation's most notorious prison, the La Santé prison – where former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has started a five year jail term for unlawful collusion to obtain political donations from Libya – is the last remaining prison within the city of Paris.

Located in the southern Montparnasse neighborhood of the city, it first opened in 1867 and was the scene of no fewer than 40 death penalties, the last in 1972. Partially shut down for upgrades in 2014, the facility resumed operations in 2019 and accommodates over 1,100 prisoners.

Well-known ex- inmates encompass the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the financial trader Jérôme Kerviel, the civil servant and Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon, the tycoon and political figure Bernard Tapie, the terrorist from the 1970s Carlos the Jackal, and talent scout Jean-Luc Brunel.

Special Treatment for Notable Prisoners

High-profile or vulnerable prisoners are generally placed in the prison's QB4 unit for “individuals at risk” – the dubbed “VIP section” – in single cells, rather than the typical three-inmate cells, and kept alone during outdoor activities for security reasons.

Located on the ground floor, the unit has a set of uniform units and a private outdoor space so detainees are not forced to mingle with other prisoners – although they continue to be vulnerable to whistles, jeers and cellphone pictures from neighboring units.

Primarily for that reason, Sarkozy is expected to be placed in the segregated section, which is in a separate wing. Actually, circumstances are largely identical as in the QB4 ward: the ex-president will be by himself in his room and accompanied by a guard every time he leaves it.

“The objective is to avoid any problems at all, so we must block him from coming into contact with other prisoners,” a source within the facility stated. “The most straightforward and most effective approach is to place Nicolas Sarkozy directly to segregation.”

Living Quarters

Each of the solitary and VIP cells are the same to those elsewhere in the institution, measuring about 10 square meters, with window blinds intended to restrict contact, a sleeping cot, a small desk, a shower unit, WC, and fixed-line phone with authorized contacts only.

Sarkozy is provided with typical prison food but will also have access to the commissary, where he can purchase items to prepare himself, as well as to a small solitary exercise yard, a gym and the prison library. He can pay for a fridge for seven euros fifty a monthly and a television set for fourteen euros fifteen.

Limited Social Contact

In addition to three permitted visits a each week, he will mainly be by himself – a luxury in the facility, which in spite of its modernization is functioning at roughly double its designed capacity of 657 inmates. The country's prisons are the third most packed in the EU bloc.

Items Brought

Sarkozy, who has repeatedly asserted his non-guilt, has said he will be taking with him a account of Jesus Christ and a edition of The Count of Monte Cristo, by the author Alexandre Dumas, in which an innocent man is sentenced to jail but escapes to get retribution.

Sarkozy’s legal counsel, Jean-Michel Darrois, said he was additionally taking noise blockers because the jail can be disruptive at nighttime, and multiple sweaters, because rooms can be cold. Sarkozy has stated he is fearless of serving time in jail and aims to utilize the time to compose a publication.

Uncertain Duration

It remains uncertain, however, how long he will really stay in the prison: his legal team have lodged for his premature release, and an appeals judge will have to prove a potential of flight, further crimes or influencing testimony to warrant his continued detention.

France's law specialists have suggested he may be freed before a month passes.