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Maybe the nation's most legendary prison, the La Santé prison – where ex-president of France Nicolas Sarkozy is now serving a five-year prison sentence for unlawful collusion to solicit political donations from the Libyan government – is the last remaining prison within the Paris city limits.

Located in the south part of Montparnasse neighborhood of the city, it first opened in 1867 and was the scene of no fewer than 40 executions, the most recent in 1972. Partially closed for refurbishment in 2014, the prison resumed operations in 2019 and holds more than 1,100 inmates.

Well-known ex- inmates include the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the financial trader Jérôme Kerviel, the public servant and wartime collaborator Maurice Papon, the businessman and political figure Bernard Tapie, the militant from the seventies Carlos the Jackal, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Protected Wing for High-Profile Prisoners

Notable or endangered prisoners are typically accommodated in the jail’s QB4 unit for “protected persons” – the so-called “premium block” – in solitary cells, not the usual three-inmate units, and kept alone during yard time for security reasons.

Positioned on the ground floor, the unit has 19 identical cells and a private outdoor space so prisoners are not obliged to mix with other detainees – even though they continue to be vulnerable to whistles, taunts and mobile snapshots from nearby cells.

Primarily for that reason, Sarkozy is set to be housed in the solitary confinement unit, which is in a isolated area. In reality, the environment are much the same as in the protected unit: the former president will be alone in his room and supervised by a prison officer whenever he leaves it.

“The aim is to avoid any problems at all, so we must stop him from coming into contact with any inmates,” a prison source revealed. “The simplest and most effective solution is to assign Nicolas Sarkozy straight to segregation.”

Living Quarters

Both solitary and VIP units are the same to those in other parts in the prison, measuring approximately 10 sq metres, with window coverings created to limit communication, a sleeping cot, a writing table, a shower unit, WC, and landline telephone with pre-recorded numbers.

Sarkozy will be served standard meals but will also have the option to the commissary, where he can acquire food to prepare himself, as well as to a small solitary exercise yard, a fitness room and the library. He can lease a fridge for €7.50 a per month and a TV for 14.15 euros.

Controlled Interactions

Besides three allowed visits a per week, he will primarily be alone – a privilege in La Santé, which notwithstanding its recent renovation is operating at about twice its intended capacity of 657 prisoners. France’s prisons are the third most overcrowded in the European Union.

Prison Supplies

Sarkozy, who has repeatedly protested his innocence, has said he will be carrying with him a biography of Jesus and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, in which an wrongly accused individual is sentenced to jail but breaks out to seek vengeance.

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Jean-Michel Darrois, noted he was additionally bringing earplugs because the facility can be loud at night, and multiple sweaters, because rooms can be cold. Sarkozy has stated he is not scared of serving time in jail and intends to utilize the time to compose a manuscript.

Possible Early Release

It is unclear, however, how long he will in fact be housed in La Santé: his lawyers have submitted for his premature release, and an reviewing judge will need to demonstrate a risk of escaping, reoffending or influencing testimony to warrant his ongoing incarceration.

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