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Perhaps the nation's most legendary jail, the La Santé prison – where ex-president of France Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy to raise political donations from Libya – remains the last remaining prison inside the city of Paris.

Located in the southern Montparnasse neighborhood of the city, it was inaugurated in 1867 and hosted of a minimum of 40 capital punishments, the most recent in 1972. Partly shut down for renovation in 2014, the institution resumed operations in 2019 and holds more than 1,100 inmates.

Well-known past prisoners include the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the unauthorized trader Jérôme Kerviel, the public servant and Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon, the entrepreneur and politician Bernard Tapie, the 70s terrorist Carlos the Jackal, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Protected Wing for High-Profile Prisoners

Prominent or at-risk inmates are generally accommodated in the prison's QB4 unit for “individuals at risk” – the so-called “premium block” – in solitary cells, not the standard three-person cells, and isolated during outdoor activities for security reasons.

Situated on the initial level, the unit has 19 identical rooms and a private recreation area so detainees are not required to interact with fellow inmates – while they continue to be exposed to shouts, insults and smartphone photos from neighboring units.

Mainly for this reason, Sarkozy will reportedly be held in the solitary confinement unit, which is in a isolated area. Practically, conditions are very similar as in QB4: the former president will be by himself in his unit and supervised by a guard every time he exits.

“The aim is to prevent any problems at all, so we need to stop him from meeting fellow detainees,” a source within the facility commented. “The easiest and most efficient method is to assign Nicolas Sarkozy straight to solitary confinement.”

Cell Conditions

Both solitary and protected units are the same to those in other parts in the jail, measuring around eleven square meters, with coverings on windows designed to limit contact, a sleeping cot, a small desk, a shower, lavatory, and stationary phone with authorized contacts only.

Sarkozy is provided with standard meals but will also have the option to the commissary, where he can acquire items to cook for himself, as well as to a individual outdoor space, a fitness room and the book collection. He can pay for a fridge for €7.50 a per month and a television set for €14.15.

Restricted Visits

Apart from three authorized meetings a per week, he will primarily be on his own – an advantage in the prison, which notwithstanding its recent renovation is operating at about double its intended capacity of 657 inmates. The country's jails are the third most packed in the EU bloc.

Personal Belongings

Sarkozy, who has repeatedly protested his innocence, has stated he will be carrying with him a account of Jesus Christ and a version of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, in which an innocent man is condemned to prison but flees to take revenge.

Sarkozy’s legal counsel, Jean-Michel Darrois, noted he was also packing earplugs because the facility can be loud at during the night, and several sweaters, because units can be cold. Sarkozy has said he is not scared of serving time in prison and intends to use it to compose a manuscript.

Release Prospects

It is unclear, though, how long he will really stay in the prison: his lawyers have submitted for his premature release, and an reviewing judge will have to prove a risk of absconding, reoffending or witness-tampering to validate his further imprisonment.

France's jurists have suggested he could be out before a month passes.