This newspaper is a fantastic idea and I am glad it comes here.

Thanks so much for printing my 'always someone worse off than you' story in Issue N°4. I've been motivated to put together a rough draft for a guide to help new prisoners acclimatise to their new surroundings.

First of all I would like to say what an awesome magazine – keep up the good work.

Firstly I love your paper and a big thank you for putting it out for the prison population!

Thank you for another month of your National prison paper. When I see my name as a winner of the Caption Competition I was wrapped. Thank you…

Thanks again for another great issue (no. 11). "Lizard Brain" by Annalise De Groot (page 10) was fantastic.

Thanks for your excellent newspaper. It always contains useful information and heartfelt stories. Keep up the good work.

I can tell you that the papers are very popular and are often requested from prisoners, and I have received positive feedback.

I just wanted to let you know how much I admire your work. I think it is remarkable the way you give a voice to people who often do not have the opportunity to express themselves or share their stories.

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If you happen to know of any Italian prisoner – or someone studying Italian – who would be interested in writing something in Italian, I would be very happy to consider publishing it in one of our editions.

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Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I would love to hear from you.

To everyone who writes in please keep it up and encourage others to submit letters, art, poetry etc as myself and I'm sure many others really do enjoy receiving About Time and reading all the fantastic letters, articles etc... To everyone at About Time, my fellow brothers and sisters and anyone else who reads the paper – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember to be kind to one another over the festive season.

Congratulations on the launch of About Time. I can only imagine how many obstacles you have navigated to successfully sail the product into Australia's prisons, and from where I sit it was very warmly received by the inmates, security and medical staff that I share time with. Well done, and thank you for delivering us something we didn't know we needed until we received it.

Thank you all very much for the outstanding work and effort. The paper is a much needed blessing for all of us.

It was great to see prisoners being spoken of in a constructive and positive way, as I'm sure you're aware that isn't the norm in Australia. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully reading your newspaper.

I was thinking of more experiences to share with you guys. Your engagement helps me. I have many yarns to share - alot of them need heavy editing/sensoring. I really appreciate what you guys do and what you publish. Keep it up.

Great to see how the publication is putting forward items of interest to inmates, such as the expansion of education in venues.

Hi, I’m a teacher at Parkville College and wonder if you have a PDF version of your magazine, which I can print out and show my students, as they can’t access the internet in here. Some of my students enjoy writing, and I’d like to try and get them to write for About Time. Seeing other people in custodial settings writing articles might inspire them.

Having been encouraged by your 11th edition prison newspaper, regarding a 'judicial review' process, I have learned and gained immeasurably, familiarising myself with processes otherwise unknown by the majority of inmates in the Victorian prison system.

Thank you and congratulations on the publication of the national prisoner's newspaper, "About Time".

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Your initiative is offering many the "therapy" necessary to earn back self-respect and enabling them to choose to find a purpose for good, while they make their amends during their incarceration.

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They say: "The pen is mightier than the sword". To see their contributions in print will be the first time for some that they have been "heard" and may enable them with respect to transform their lives – to honestly rehabilitate.

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The paper is well-read and discussed. The smiles on faces knowing some of the contributors is encouraging.

I am glad you made the newspaper because, as the name says, it's about time! They should have had something like this for a long, long time. Years ago, I read one in the slot at Port Phillip that was from the A.C.T., they have it so different I was amazed. I did actually write to them but they never gave me a reply. Sorry I didn't write when I first sent poems, but I didn't know what to say. It can get so boring that any form of entertainment is good. Plus, it's exciting when it is new. I have a friend who was deported back to Malaysia not long ago and I was telling her all about it as she just missed it. I wish you had been around a lot longer" … "Take care and thanks for the paper as it is About Time, true! I wish you all the success in the world and will always look forward to seeing them every month.

What a great news paper! Informative, entertaining, and easily a month's worth of reading. I'm loving it; I've sent copied pages of articles & puzzles to my son in the NT.

Writing and creating artwork has really helped me express my emotion and document my experiences in here over the time I have served. "About Time" is my favourite piece and it was created after reading your first issue some months back. I hope you enjoy reading them, as I enjoy writing them. Feel free to use any of them you'd like to, to publish in your newspaper with my name and location if/when you have the space to do so. Regardless, thank you kindly for your time and for making 'Australia's National Prison Newspaper'. I look forward to every issue.

I have just recently subscribed to your paper. On receiving the digital version of “The Mother’s Day Special Edition,” I listened to the interview with Nightlife ABC – ‘Meet the Publisher of Australia’s Only Prison Paper.’

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*Joseph Friedman came across as very passionate and knowledgeable. I was most interested to hear what he had to say in relation to “reversing the presumption of bail laws” and that almost half of people in Australia’s prisons are in remand not convicted of a sentence.

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I started to do some further inquiry as to what this meant and it all started to make sense.

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I then came across an article “Victoria’s Tough Bail Laws In Full Effect” 30 March 2026 – to read that the latest crime stats showed bail refusals and revocations at record highs and magistrates had remanded offenders 10 000 more times in 2025 than in 2024 (>70% increase).

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It makes sense, because my elderly partner was arrested in July 2025 for historical crimes and remains in remand in a NSW correctional centre. Today his committal was again adjourned to be transferred to the District Court. With my lawyer’s advice I applied for bail three times at the local, then Supreme Court and variation for bail (thousands of dollars later) with nil success. He has been moved to three different correctional centres (due to extreme ill –health in custody), suffered countless lockdowns (once for two weeks at a time with appalling hygiene conditions), treated inhumanely and I know I am not an isolated case.

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I, family, closest friends and most importantly my partner have all been at a loss as to why it was so difficult to get bail. Joseph with his interview, has just shed light on this tonight, with his comment on the reverse presumption of bail laws.

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As this has had such a profound effect on me – I wonder if it would be worthwhile to publish an article (if not done so in previous editions) on when and why the ‘reversing of presumption of bail laws’ came into effect, what it means for those on the inside awaiting sentencing in remand and if granted bail the mandatory electronic monitoring that may be required. It may give those in this situation and their families fighting for bail a greater understanding and better informed consent when considering application for bail.

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Footnote: I had no idea about these laws when applying for bail (my lawyer made me none the wiser). Fortunately I had the funds to pay for the bail applications, but I feel for those that are really struggling financially and are in the same situation.*

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PS Lastly I really value your paper, even as a supportive family member on the outside. Especially the above interview I have just talked about and the Kairos Outside for Women advertisement as I was able to reach out to the ministry and will attend a weekend later in the month.

I'm a proud First National Gomeroi/Gamilaaray jinung from Country. I'm writing to say many THANX for your monthly editions. Really! So much appreciation, your papers have helped me through many tough times. Both strength and struggle.

I would love to hear back from you guys. Please let me know what you think. I have much more writing I can send in, and if you have any advice on how I can build and develop a career as a writer and also how I can improve my writing, it would be greatly appreciated.

With the hard copies, the English class use some as resources.

I've been following your paper and I love it. I find it very cool and entertaining.

Dear About Time, my name is Steven, and I'm doing time in VIC. I have to say I am really digging the paper, it's a great read.

Firstly, thankyou for the newspaper, I look forward to every new issue! It's an amazing opportunity to read everyones thoughts, feelings and experiences, as well as educate ourselves around the system and available resources and it provides me with a strong sense of connection.

Since reading the December issue of About Time, I have started to read the Bible. I want to say I am not a religious person, but there are so many things I can relate to and I think I am getting to know myself better through reading it. I don't think I would have picked it up if not for Denis's letter published in the December 2024 issue; a very big thank you to you my friend you have been a big influence on many people over the years. I look forward to more poetry. Keep up the good work mate.

Keep up the good work, good vibes, and great paper. I'm sure everyone in jail really appreciates your efforts (including me!).

I recently discovered your publication while flicking through the resources on my tablet but have now gone through and read all the back issues available… it's fantastic and look forward to its release each month.

I'm writing to you guys, because I'm a big fan of the work you do and what the newspaper represents, and because I'd like to share some advice and tips on how to make the most of your time inside.

The paper enables folks to survive on the inside and then reimagine life beyond it.

Keep up the wonderful work you all do.

I enjoy reading the publications in your paper, it is a great idea and a lot of the stories are extremely relatable and remind me that I am not alone. It is helpful to hear a lot of people across the nation are facing similar battles, including the revolving door with incarceration... Thank you for reading, looking forward to your next issue, hopefully some of my work makes the cut!

Thank you to all who created 'About Time' and for making it work. I am a deaf prisoner who is quite isolated within isolation. I miss out on small talks such as what other prisoners are really feeling to bigger things such as how to make a complaint against case notes. Deaf Services has been trying to fight to bring tablets in for deaf prisoners in Queensland and it's good to see that the government is slowly introducing tablets into some prisons and that tablets may be possible for deaf prisoners in the future. The newspaper is like a light at the end of a tunnel. Thank you.

I'll finish by saying I absolutely love the paper. Thanks to everyone involved.

G'day, My name is Dane. Firstly, great job on the paper. I look forward to it every month and expect I'm not the only Aussie inmate who is appreciative of the effort that goes into producing such a thing and at no cost to the incarcerated. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for providing us with a great monthly source of information and entertainment.

Your newspaper is fantastic and is extremely valuable, sharing experiences and knowledge between prisons in all states of Australia as well as the world, helping all gain insight into practices and procedures as well as outlining certain indiscrepancies. It is wonderful to see such a vast array of people writing in to share their views, feelings and sharing their lived experiences within the system. Thank you to all those involved and keep up the great work!

I was very excited to see the writing competition article in the latest edition. Included is my submission. This story is a reflection of where I feel many people are in prison as well as a life constantly full of gambling where to be truly happy we just need to stop, breathe, be silent (sometimes). I took back on my own happy place (nature), even if its nowhere near good enough to be included in the newspaper, just having the chance to be creative is fantastic! So thankyou.

I would be pleased to maintain contact and further contribute. About Time is a valued publication in prison and a worthy pursuit.

I am thankful for any and all social and creative outlets such as yourselves involved in the creation and distribution of your newspaper. They provide a link or window to another place, an opening for personal expression and a greater sense of community for those who choose to make use of the opportunities. Writing a book review for a peer newsletter that might only be read by a hundred or so inmates at one prison may not change the world, but having someone stop you in the yard to tell you that they were impressed with your writing is valuable and reinvigorating.

Thank you for your continued hard work to put together such an amazing magazine for all inmates, and may Peace, love and happiness touch everyone.

Keep up the awesome prints! We all love and appreciate them down here.

There are some fantastic poems in issue six that have inspired me to knock one up to send off next month. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the publication, it is very impressive.

Hello Edith,

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Thank you most kindly for your words about my latest article, 'When Your Mind Turns Against You: Understanding Depression in Prison.' It came straight from the heart.

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On a personal note; my first priority is to improve the lot of my fellow prisoners and ex-prisoners, and I'm putting everything I have and everything I know, and all the research I'm able to access into a workshop for ex-prisoners, which will roll out later this year. While doing so I wrote the following passage, which in many ways embodies the work I am doing to help people get 'unstuck':

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Some hard thoughts feel impossible to move past because they cut so deep – and that's a normal trauma response. Recognising this gives you the power to separate the hurt from the belief it can't be healed – and in that space, the possibility of change appears."

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Together we can effect positive change, and About Time is a blessed resource for doing just that. Your work is immensely meaningful.

Thank you for the newspapers and taking the time to read my letter.

Thank you About Time – the printed voice of the prisons.

First of all I'd like to say thank you for all youse do for us who are locked away, it helps a lot to know what's going on out there in the world.

The paper continues to be enjoyed and promoted by me and others.

Thanks for reading.

I, and my mates, enjoy your paper and I've enclosed a copy of the last page of an actual letter I wrote my wife last week.

Hello to About Time, and all readers everywhere.

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Sometimes when I'm alone I enjoy writing to try and take my mind from where I am. This is one of the poems. I hope you enjoy! Thanks alot for providing me the opportunity to express myself and my thoughts to my fellow incarcerated people! Keep your head high guys and girls… Let them lock up our bodies but never our minds...

They have been distributed and the residents were very appreciative.

It's great to read other people's stories and articles. Also, I find excellent advice and experiences are much the same as my journey throughout prison, in and out.

Here is some feedback for About Time – it's absolutely positive! From my first introduction to issue 2 or 3 (at BNCC) I looked forward to the next edition. Arriving at NCC I followed up with an officer who ensured copies were available to us.

PS. About Time volunteers, give yourself a pat on the back for this paper, well done! You have no idea the effect it has on the readers. Such a positive initiative towards all people incarcerated.

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Thank you.

I appreciate your time and I love your paper and its content.

I wanted to mention that I work with guys transitioning back into the community after being in prison at the Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility and the everyone absolutely loves the paper – so thanks for all the great work.

We may be criminals, but we also cry at night.

Thank you for all you do in putting together About Time and sending it into prisons. I certainly found it helpful and informative while I was inside. I look forward to reading the next edition of About Time when it comes out. I really like the way you have formatted your website. A bit easier to follow and read compared to what was on the NSW tablet version. Keep up the good work.

Thank you so much for the paper. It has been quite the eye opener for me, eight months into a two year sentence. Among the views expressed, many about their time, reflecting on boredom, lack of resources and so on, and I thought to add my older prisoner view simply because so many of your readers here at Wolston are older men, though I assume many of the same or similar issues happen to women as well.

I write to you, as a Victorian prison officer who reads every issue of About Time. It really helps me to see things through the prisoner's eyes. Although I am empathic, reading this publication enlightens me and increases my understanding of the issues prisoners face. Taking the time to read each issue and consider the content (with an open mind) makes me a better officer; and I sincerely hope that the perspective I gain comes across to all the guys in our care. Keep up the great work!

I was so excited that we got them… Just so you know, we also have a prisoner sending them out to a family member once they have been read.

A quick thank you to About Time for the national paper. I really enjoy reading about the ins and outs of Australian jail life.

PS: If you receive mail from Belinda in Greenough Regional prison, please publish her entry. Seeing her achieve that would make me very happy. Thank you :)

Thank you for a great magazine.

I have been in prison for over 13 years and I want to say that your newspaper is an amazing opportunity for all who have put the time in and it has been very well received throughout the Victorian Prison System.

Our hope and our voice lies at the hand of those who can make a difference and this is why I'm writing and trying to make a difference/change.

I want to let ya know how stoked I was to see me as a runner up in last month's "Caption This" comp. So I thought I'd give it another crack.

Thanks for publishing my article in Issue 14. Reading through it, I came across another article that got my attention: "The Dark Side of Gains" by Ronin Cruise. Anyway, great paper, keep it rolling.

I love this newspaper and enjoy reading it from front to back and back to front. I really enjoy looking at the artworks. You published one of my artworks, DEEP OCEAN, so thank you. I am very proud of that artwork. I taught myself to do art as I was severely bullied and abused, mentally, and physically, growing up and until this very day and I find it is good escape for my mental health. It helps me copy with all the bullshit and bullying that goes on in this place, that I've called home for the past 9 years. I have a minimum of 6 years left to go and then hopefully I can leave this place behind me. I'm not sure where I will restart my life once I'm out, but I guess I still have time to sort that out lol. Well that's all I wanted to say so thank you and keep up the wonderful work.

To the wonderful people who volunteer their time and effort to make About Time possible… Thank you About Time for giving inmates a platform to express their concerns.

I've been reading your newsletters for a while now, all the way back to Issue 1, and I suppose, like some people, I had my doubts about the longevity as I've seen many things that can be informative and beneficial to us all just fade into nothing in a short period of time. So far, so good, and I do enjoy reading peoples' letters with meaningful dialogue, so I hope and pray that, through all our interests and contributions, you're in it for the long haul. Sincerely and with thanks for all that you're doing for all and sundry.

The June edition has arrived and has been distributed. The ladies were all reading it and some are now contacting Women’s Advocacy Service from the article, just some recognition of what your paper does to get the word out about amazing new services. Thank you.

P.S. A big shout to all prisoners and the team of "Australia's National Prison Newspaper". Thank you for all the support.

Kind regards, and thanks for your work.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Hello, firstly I must congratulate you for your latest publication and I must tell you that many people including officers read and enjoy it, so keep it up.

Thanks for the great newspaper.

Firstly, I must express my liking of the symbol chosen between the 2 words of the paper's name. Given a water molecule has almost exactly that shape, and the nature of your N.P.N is the mental health 'water' we crave so that we may grow: I commend your design team if that was also a part of the desired symbology, aside from the other 2 more evident interpretations.

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But alas, I digress. Principally I write to extend feedback – re: your monthly paper. I must say that it was with more than the usual measuring spoon of interest that most here @ MRC welcomed its arrival. Upon finding it in our respective mailboxes, it caused a stir. A tad like the discovery of gold in Ballarat: a freakin buzz!

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Some leafed the pages; quietly absorbed by its content. Whilst some flocked together like a monochrome-green flamboyance of flamingos chortling approbation for the contents therein. A small, tidy group o Indigenous fellas loudly (and proudly!) celebrated the inclusion of the artwork of a dear friend of mine Chris Stewart at the top, right corner of page 11. In short, conversation thrived! The overall reaction across the board: favourable!

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Could it be I'm 'reading' too much into it, if you'll pardon the intended pun? Nay, say I. For the reason is simple. For most of us, About Time rekindles the hearth flames of hope…. And solidarity.

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Concurrently – albeit more tactfully – it served as a semi-tabloid sized platform some many choose to use as a way of expressing the beauty they've shielded within since time immemorial. This beauty, be it an artistic or linguistics, or even just humanistic, will finally sprout from the nutrient-poor soil of imprisonment like a tentative sapling (craving the warmth of yellow sunshine on its budding, little leaves.

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A 'green' clothed sapling that can now reach toward the azure skies of better expression; ethical tolerance; and more meaningful connection with life and love.

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As one of the two peer educators for both Burnside & Belbridge at MRC, I interact with dozens of inmates daily. Without reservations, I can say your paper has had a positive influence on all and sundry. And that's tickety-boo!! Quite soon, I imagine you'll be navigating a metaphorical diluvial flood of correspondence into all areas of expression you graciously invite feedback and/or input.

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If you would be so kind as to grant me a little leeway in sending you an occasional short story, or a poem, or even an observational anecdote: then I'd be totes chuffed!

I do love getting your publication. I cut it into A4 sections and send them to my son, who is in an NT prison. Only 5 cut-out pages at a time, of course!

Thank you for the gift of your newspaper. A simple idea to spread a good word or thought via written media to the Australian prison population – and beyond – makes more of a difference to us, than anyone who hasn't done prison time could ever know.

I have read every one of your newspapers from the start and always look forward to the next one. Thanks for the good work.

Firstly I wish to thank all of you that make it possible for your newspaper to to be circulated on a monthly basis, and allow inmates that are currently in custody to address issues that our judicial system chooses to ignore. So in a way your paper lets us have a voice in which I would like to say thank you.

I'm always reading your paper.

This paper deserves all the support it can get. A way for prisoners to express their honest stories and gifts. A real way to heal and rehabilitate encouraging others to do the same.

Greetings to you all! My name is Johnny and I am currently locked up at Long Bay. Reading all the letters sent by everyone over the past four issues of 'About Time' has been such an eye-opener for me. I've found myself looking forward to the next issue to see and learn from other peoples' experiences that they so bravely share with us! Reading everyone's personal experiences and advice has affected me in such a positive way that I finally decided to put pen to paper and share some of my own experiences over the past three years and the changes I have made that may change your life, as they did mine.

I gave paper copies of AT out to inmates with tablets today, and got a round of applause for it. One guy said it’s the best thing anyone has done for them, so yes please, keep them coming. I will promote it internally. Inmates said it was like being reconnected with the world again.

Thumbs up from everyone for the newspaper, it's amazing!

Thank you so much for taking the effort to bringing us this publication and I hope to see many great issues to come.

Thanks for providing About Time and explaining things – it's helpful for understanding life behind bars and other things.

I like your paper. I look forward to it when it comes. They deliver it under my door. It's interesting to read what others have to say, and their experiences. I like the paintings some of the other prisoners do. They have a gift. It's sad how some people waste a talent like that by doing silly shit and wasting their life behind bars.

Congratulations on your 12th issue. One year seems so fast when you look back on it. I look forward to each and every issue, thanks again.

Thank you for your time reading this. And thank you for giving me and the other blokes something good to read here.

I thank you again for everything, the newspaper, your letters and the time you take reading mine. You have been an inspirational part of my journey and have helped contribute to my focus of change for a better and successful future and pursuit of living up to my true potential and ultimately striving to live my best possible life. Thank you.

Thank you About Time.

Dear About Time, I love reading your paper. Keep up the good work.