"Je ne veux plus te voir en prison car toi dehors c'est un peu de moi même qui sera libre. Tu donnes une parole pour cette liberté... prouve que nous autres, la tenons toujours en bien comme en mal. C'est ce qui nous unit le plus ; voyous, dangereux ?... mais droits"

Autograph letter signed and dated by Jacques Mesrine, dated Thursday October 21, 1976, 70 lines in blue ink on one recto-verso page addressed to his lover at the time, Jeanne Schneider, thanks to whom the manuscript of Instinct de mort was discreetly smuggled out of prison.
Jacques Mesrine, then incarcerated at Fleury-Mérogis prison, rejoices at having been able to speak with his beloved in the visiting room, who was also imprisoned: "What a very pleasant visit, you were moreover very feminine in that outfit which is very much in your style as a woman... even worth double the price because I like it" and attempts to reassure her so that she does not lose all fight against the prison system that crushes inmates: "But if by misfortune a new refusal should affect you, do not have that bad reaction you told me about because those who surround you and have helped you do not deserve to pay for the injustice of others. You will have to face it as always. Because the doors will open one day and you know it."
As a protective patriarch, Jacques Mesrine worries about the despair that could strike her and her daughter Murielle placed with social services: "But I worry enormously about you, because you have a limit... and I believe you have reached it! or almost... Regarding Mury and that bogus judge... we will see about removing her from social services... I prefer to pay for her studies and Mrs. Chevallier and all her upkeep if necessary. If you get out! Tell me... so many women to support... I'd better work overtime (sic)"
Public enemy No. 1 evokes Jeanne Schneider's upcoming freedom while ordering her not to fall back into criminality: "...If you get out, formal prohibition from getting involved with me on a level that we both understand very well. I don't want to see you in prison anymore because you outside is a little bit of myself that will be free. You give your word for this freedom... prove that we others always keep it in good times as in bad"
Jacques Mesrine praises his companion's integrity, the keystone of their strong union through the deprivation of freedom: "This is what unites us most; criminals, dangerous?... but honest. This is what makes me love you, with you no unpleasant surprises; you are 'white-blue' and for me you have the value of a diamond. It is the only stone that is harder than steel (sic)... but less hard than me (resic)"
He ends this missive with this humorous note reflecting the terrible intrusive reality of the penitentiary system: "And if my Christmas package is prepared by you... the administration will X-ray it" but also with these tender words: "Sweet kisses rest on your lips... gesture of love that has united us always and for a long time... EL VIEJO Bandido!"
Rare and very beautiful letter from Jacques Mesrine in which we discover him protective and eager for freedom for his companion and for whom honesty must be erected as a rule of life.