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Possibly the nation's most fabled correctional facility, the La Santé prison – in which ex-president of France Nicolas Sarkozy is now serving a five-year incarceration for criminal conspiracy to raise political donations from the Libyan government – stands as the last remaining prison within the Paris city limits.

Situated in the south part of Montparnasse neighborhood of the capital, it first opened in 1867 and was the scene of a minimum of 40 executions, the last in 1972. Partially closed for renovation in 2014, the institution reopened five years later and houses over 1,100 prisoners.

Well-known former inmates include the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the unauthorized trader Jérôme Kerviel, the civil servant and collaborator with the Nazis Maurice Papon, the entrepreneur and political figure Bernard Tapie, the 70s terrorist Carlos the Jackal, and talent scout Jean-Luc Brunel.

Special Treatment for High-Profile Prisoners

Prominent or vulnerable inmates are generally held in the prison's QB4 unit for “vulnerable people” – the dubbed “premium block” – in single cells, not the usual triple-occupancy rooms, and kept alone during yard time for safety concerns.

Situated on the initial level, the section has 19 identical units and a reserved recreation area so prisoners are not obliged to interact with other prisoners – even though they are still exposed to shouts, taunts and mobile snapshots from nearby cells.

Mostly for such concerns, Sarkozy is expected to be placed in the isolation ward, which is in a isolated area. In reality, circumstances are much the same as in QB4: the past leader will be by himself in his room and escorted by a guard whenever he exits.

“The goal is to prevent any problems at all, so we need to block him from coming into contact with other prisoners,” a source within the facility stated. “The easiest and best method is to assign Nicolas Sarkozy straight to segregation.”

Living Quarters

Each of the solitary and protected cells are similar to those elsewhere in the jail, measuring about 10 sq metres, with window blinds designed to limit communication, a sleeping cot, a compact desk, a shower, WC, and stationary phone with authorized contacts only.

Sarkozy is provided with typical prison food but will additionally have access to the commissary, where he can acquire items to make his own meals, as well as to a individual outdoor space, a gym and the prison library. He can pay for a refrigerator for €7.50 a monthly and a television for 14.15 euros.

Limited Social Contact

Besides three authorized meetings a each week, he will primarily be on his own – a luxury in La Santé, which notwithstanding its modernization is running at about double its planned occupancy of 657 prisoners. The country's correctional facilities are the third most congested in the European Union.

Items Brought

Sarkozy, who has steadfastly asserted his innocence, has said he will be taking with him a account of Jesus Christ and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, in which an wrongly accused individual is condemned to prison but breaks out to seek vengeance.

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Jean-Michel Darrois, noted he was additionally packing earplugs because the jail can be disruptive at nighttime, and multiple sweaters, because cells can be cold. Sarkozy has said he is not scared of being in jail and plans to use it to author a publication.

Uncertain Duration

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

French legal experts have suggested he might be released before a month passes.