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Possibly France’s most notorious correctional facility, La Santé – in which ex-president of France Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five-year jail term for unlawful collusion to obtain campaign funds from Libya – is the sole surviving prison inside the Paris city limits.

Found in the south part of Montparnasse neighborhood of the city, it first opened in 1867 and hosted of at least 40 death penalties, the most recent in 1972. Partly shut down for renovation in 2014, the institution resumed operations five years later and holds in excess of 1,100 detainees.

Renowned former detainees encompass the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the unauthorized trader Jérôme Kerviel, the government official and wartime collaborator Maurice Papon, the businessman 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 at-risk prisoners are typically accommodated in the prison's QB4 unit for “individuals at risk” – the so-called “premium block” – in single cells, not the standard three-inmate cells, and separated during outdoor activities for security reasons.

Situated on the ground floor, the section has a set of uniform units and a dedicated outdoor space so detainees are not obliged to mix with other detainees – even though they continue to be subject to calls, taunts and smartphone photos from adjacent cells.

Mainly for this reason, Sarkozy is set to be housed in the segregated section, which is in a distinct block. In reality, the environment are much the same as in the protected unit: the ex-president will be by himself in his cell and accompanied by a prison officer whenever he goes out.

“The goal is to avert any incidents whatsoever, so we must stop him from encountering any inmates,” an insider revealed. “The most straightforward and most effective method is to send Nicolas Sarkozy straight to segregation.”

Cell Conditions

Both isolation and VIP rooms are similar to those elsewhere in the prison, roughly around eleven square meters, with window coverings intended to limit interaction, a bed, a compact desk, a shower, lavatory, and landline telephone with pre-recorded numbers.

Sarkozy is provided with standard meals but will additionally have access to the commissary, where he can purchase food to prepare himself, as well as to a private outdoor space, a gym and the prison library. He can rent a fridge for 7.50 euros a month and a television set for €14.15.

Limited Social Contact

In addition to three allowed visits a each week, he will mostly be alone – a privilege in the prison, which in spite of its recent renovation is functioning at about double its intended capacity of 657 prisoners. The country's jails are the third most congested in the EU bloc.

Prison Supplies

Sarkozy, who has steadfastly protested his non-guilt, has said 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 wrongly accused individual is given a sentence to jail but escapes to seek vengeance.

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Jean-Michel Darrois, mentioned he was also taking noise blockers because the facility can be disruptive at during the night, and a few jumpers, because units can be chilly. Sarkozy has stated he is not scared of serving time in jail and plans to utilize the time to compose a publication.

Uncertain Duration

It is unclear, nevertheless, the length of time he will actually remain in the facility: his legal team have already filed for his premature release, and an reviewing judge will have to prove a chance of flight, reoffending or interfering with witnesses to warrant his continued detention.

France's legal experts have indicated he could be out within a month.