ISSUE NO. 20
March 2026
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Letters

‘Don’t Be A Statistic’: A Message To Those Getting Out Soon

By
Vanessa

Vanessa writes from a prison in QLD.

Willy Pleasance

To About Time,

My name is Vanessa, I’m 27 and incarcerated at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

It’s my first time in jail and unfortunately the start to the vicious failed justice system cycle. It’s just unfortunate that some of the most respectful down to earth people are sitting here in jail.

Some of the best people that make some silly mistakes because of drugs that aren’t even what they used to be like.

So I guess my message is to those getting out soon. Remember the people that offer you drugs when you get out, they are not your friends. You are better than that.

Don’t be a statistic, be that person your kids need you to be.

Teach them to learn from your mistakes not to follow them. Be role models and don’t let the system trap you. We are all better than that.

To About Time,

My name is Vanessa, I’m 27 and incarcerated at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

It’s my first time in jail and unfortunately the start to the vicious failed justice system cycle. It’s just unfortunate that some of the most respectful down to earth people are sitting here in jail.

Some of the best people that make some silly mistakes because of drugs that aren’t even what they used to be like.

So I guess my message is to those getting out soon. Remember the people that offer you drugs when you get out, they are not your friends. You are better than that.

Don’t be a statistic, be that person your kids need you to be.

Teach them to learn from your mistakes not to follow them. Be role models and don’t let the system trap you. We are all better than that.

This
letter
was originally printed in the
March 2026
edition of About Time.

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Welcome to About Time

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

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