Being in prison can leave you feeling hopeless, demoralised and, at times, lacking in self-belief. I know this from first-hand experience as I have been on an emotional rollercoaster, searching for something positive to give me hope, focus and a true sense of purpose. Education has helped me in so many aspects of my life and I have been on a learning journey since the day I decided to re-engage with education. The word ‘journey’ is key because it allowed me to create a real change in my life. That change did not happen overnight, it came about by me setting goals and putting 100% effort into studying. I set myself goals which subsequently led me to completing a number of educational qualifications.
Completing this work gave me a sense of pride, purpose and self-confidence. I completed Arts and Languages with a Distinction, which is something I am really proud of. This gave me the motivation to pursue a degree in Business Management (Economics). I am now in my third year of studying and the assistance and funding I initially received was instrumental in reigniting the flame I had inside of me to study and achieve. At first I was apprehensive about studying at university level, especially from the confines of a prison cell, however it soon became apparent that having something positive to focus on was the best escape mentally and physically given my circumstances.
Studying has not only given me a sense of purpose but has also given me important skills which are transferable, such as perseverance and problem-solving which I can use in everyday life as well as on my education journey. I was given the opportunity to learn and achieve and I grabbed it with both hands. Education is about much more than reading and writing. It is about growing as a person and using the knowledge we have attained in order to better our own lives and the lives of our peers. It is more important than just an ending; it is about the journey… our failures as well as our successes.
It is my long-term goal to become self-employed post-release and now I feel that I have the tools and skills to achieve this goal, regardless of my past. Education has given me a second chance and I hope it will do the same for my peers. The journey I have been on has made me believe … I believe I have a purpose … I believe I have been given a second chance … I believe education is the key and although I am incarcerated, education has unlocked my mind.
From Inside Time.
Being in prison can leave you feeling hopeless, demoralised and, at times, lacking in self-belief. I know this from first-hand experience as I have been on an emotional rollercoaster, searching for something positive to give me hope, focus and a true sense of purpose. Education has helped me in so many aspects of my life and I have been on a learning journey since the day I decided to re-engage with education. The word ‘journey’ is key because it allowed me to create a real change in my life. That change did not happen overnight, it came about by me setting goals and putting 100% effort into studying. I set myself goals which subsequently led me to completing a number of educational qualifications.
Completing this work gave me a sense of pride, purpose and self-confidence. I completed Arts and Languages with a Distinction, which is something I am really proud of. This gave me the motivation to pursue a degree in Business Management (Economics). I am now in my third year of studying and the assistance and funding I initially received was instrumental in reigniting the flame I had inside of me to study and achieve. At first I was apprehensive about studying at university level, especially from the confines of a prison cell, however it soon became apparent that having something positive to focus on was the best escape mentally and physically given my circumstances.
Studying has not only given me a sense of purpose but has also given me important skills which are transferable, such as perseverance and problem-solving which I can use in everyday life as well as on my education journey. I was given the opportunity to learn and achieve and I grabbed it with both hands. Education is about much more than reading and writing. It is about growing as a person and using the knowledge we have attained in order to better our own lives and the lives of our peers. It is more important than just an ending; it is about the journey… our failures as well as our successes.
It is my long-term goal to become self-employed post-release and now I feel that I have the tools and skills to achieve this goal, regardless of my past. Education has given me a second chance and I hope it will do the same for my peers. The journey I have been on has made me believe … I believe I have a purpose … I believe I have been given a second chance … I believe education is the key and although I am incarcerated, education has unlocked my mind.
From Inside Time.
Your contributions are the centerpiece of the paper. If you would like to contribute to our Letters section, please send your letters to the below postal address:
Or via email:
12 months into being remanded in custody. I’m still yet to be sentenced – hence I can’t see the end at all. I’m trying hard to make something of my time here, writing A LOT, doing heaps of artwork, studying at uni, doing literally ALL the therapy available to me here and any other short courses I can get into. I had a clean record before this but could get anywhere from 2-9 years for my major charge.
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!
Have you ever heard the phrase: ‘It’s moments like these you need Minties?’
Well, in 1980, I witnessed one of these ‘moments’.
I am definitely noticing a revolving door in my life with one side being prison. It is a wedge in my life that only I have driven. If I have created it then I can dismantle it. I know I have to get real and start critically thinking as to how I am going to stop.
About Time Media acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands across Australia and particularly acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, traditional owners of the land on which About Time Media is based.
We acknowledge the continuing impacts of the criminal legal system on First Nations people, including disproportionate rates of incarceration and deaths in custody, which remain a national shame.
We pay deep respect to Elders past and present, and all families of those who have lost loved ones in prison.
© About Time Media Ltd.
Your browser window currently does not have enough height, or is zoomed in too far to view our website content correctly. Once the window reaches the minimum required height or zoom percentage, the content will display automatically.
Alternatively, you can learn more via the links below.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. uis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.