What can Sarkozy expect in La Sante prison and what has he taken with him?

"Perhaps France's most fabled jail, La Sante where the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five-year jail term for criminal conspiracy to raise campaign funds from Libya is the last remaining prison inside the Paris city limits. Located in the southern Montparnasse district of the capital, it opened in 1867 and was the scene of at least 40 executions, the last in 1972. Partially closed for renovation in 2014, the prison reopened five years later and houses more than 1,100 inmates."

"Prominent or at-risk prisoners are generally held in the jail's QB4 ward for vulnerable people the so-called VIP quarters in single cells, not the usual three-person units, and kept alone during outdoor activities for security reasons. Located on the first floor, the ward has 19 identical cells and a dedicated exercise yard so inmates are not obliged to mingle with other prisoners although they remain subject to whistles, jeers and smartphone photos from nearby cells."

"Mainly for that reason, Sarkozy will reportedly be held in the isolation ward, which is in a separate wing. In reality, conditions are much the same as in QB4: the former president will be alone in his cell and accompanied by a guard whenever he leaves it. The goal is to avoid any incidents whatsoever, so we must prevent him from meeting any inmates, a prison source told Le Monde."

La Santé is the last remaining prison inside Paris city limits, opened in 1867 and the scene of at least 40 executions, the last in 1972. The prison reopened after renovation and houses more than 1,100 inmates. Notable former detainees include Guillaume Apollinaire, Jerome Kerviel, Maurice Papon, Bernard Tapie, Carlos the Jackal and Jean-Luc Brunel. Prominent or at-risk prisoners are held in the QB4 ward in single cells with a dedicated exercise yard to avoid mingling. Sarkozy will be placed in the isolation ward, kept alone and accompanied by a guard to prevent any contact. Both isolation and VIP cells average about 10 sq metres.

Read at www.theguardian.com