ISSUE NO. 2
August 2024
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Letters

A Journey of Healing

David is a writer currently incarcerated in New South Wales.

It is About Time incarcerated people are given the encouragement to share the truth of their experiences. Your paper will make this possible despite the obstacles you do, and will, face.

Action, not only words, shows the power of one, then two, four, eight…paying it forward. Hope for the broke, that healing is possible both for victim and perpetrator.

We ought not be defined by our less good behaviour. Who of us may ‘cast the first stone’.

My journey includes discovering I was adopted at 37 years old while preparing my mother’s funeral in 1983. My father died in 1982.

My healing of active alcoholism in 1991, Mother’s Day. Thanks to Archie Carmichael, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and many others over the past 33 years.

My incarceration stems from inappropriate same-gender attraction behaviour between 1978 and 1981. The context being my failure, which I own, from extremely poor judgement fuelled by alcohol and my fear of being known as a homosexual.

Fortunately, with professional therapy, spiritual direction of quality, consistently living the 12 step truth of healing and the non judgemental care and support of friends, I am free from all internal fear.

My incarceration is an objective form of amends. My personal amends to all was made over the past 33 years.

My sorrow is because I am sorry not expecting anything, not even forgiveness. Of course, that has been accepted when offered, an important gift for any healing.

My recovering from alcoholism led to me becoming a professional addictions counsellor from the Australian Institute for Counselling in Addictions (ACIA) with Distinction.

From 1996 to 2004, I served the addicts at William Booth, Surry Hills and Corrections NSW Long Bay, Ngara Mura Rehabilitation Centre.

Please, incarcerated men need to find their ‘goodness’ by a ‘voice’ for their own healing. ‘About Time’ will do this.

Shalom, David.

It is About Time incarcerated people are given the encouragement to share the truth of their experiences. Your paper will make this possible despite the obstacles you do, and will, face.

Action, not only words, shows the power of one, then two, four, eight…paying it forward. Hope for the broke, that healing is possible both for victim and perpetrator.

We ought not be defined by our less good behaviour. Who of us may ‘cast the first stone’.

My journey includes discovering I was adopted at 37 years old while preparing my mother’s funeral in 1983. My father died in 1982.

My healing of active alcoholism in 1991, Mother’s Day. Thanks to Archie Carmichael, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and many others over the past 33 years.

My incarceration stems from inappropriate same-gender attraction behaviour between 1978 and 1981. The context being my failure, which I own, from extremely poor judgement fuelled by alcohol and my fear of being known as a homosexual.

Fortunately, with professional therapy, spiritual direction of quality, consistently living the 12 step truth of healing and the non judgemental care and support of friends, I am free from all internal fear.

My incarceration is an objective form of amends. My personal amends to all was made over the past 33 years.

My sorrow is because I am sorry not expecting anything, not even forgiveness. Of course, that has been accepted when offered, an important gift for any healing.

My recovering from alcoholism led to me becoming a professional addictions counsellor from the Australian Institute for Counselling in Addictions (ACIA) with Distinction.

From 1996 to 2004, I served the addicts at William Booth, Surry Hills and Corrections NSW Long Bay, Ngara Mura Rehabilitation Centre.

Please, incarcerated men need to find their ‘goodness’ by a ‘voice’ for their own healing. ‘About Time’ will do this.

Shalom, David.

An Idea to Reduce Drugs and Violence in Prison

By Melissa

I have been in the system a long time. I believe that we as prisoners should be heard a lot more.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

We Want to Get Healthy in Prison – So Why Can’t We Buy Protein Powder?

By Joeby

Here at MCC we are limited to weight bags and medicine balls. We cannot purchase creatine or protein powders, training gloves or any other essential items that other prisoners at other centres can purchase.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

First Time In Prison, 3000km From Family

By Deanno

I just want to get back to my home state WA so I can do my time with my family support where I’m happy and have all my supports.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

Discovering Buddhism in Prison

By Chris

Buddhism teaches that pain is a part of being human, not a failure. Thoughts are not who you are, change is always possible because nothing is permanent. There is beauty in the idea that peace isn’t something you chase, it’s something you uncover when you stop clinging.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 20

2 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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