ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025
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Letters

Lack of Mail

By
Jason

Jason writes from Woodford Correctional Centre in Queensland.

Willy Pleasance

To About Time,

My name is Jason, I'm currently in Woodford CC in QLD. It is hard to communicate from here. The phones are 10c per 30 seconds for landlines, 35c per 30 seconds for mobile calls and 40c per call for local numbers. The time limits vary from center to center. For Woodford, it’s 10 minutes for Secure and 12 minutes for Res, for Brisbane CC it’s eight minutes, for Maryborough CC it's six minute calls, for Arthur Gorrie CC it's ten minutes. So the calls are between $5–$10 for mobiles and $1–$2.60 for landlines. Paid unit workers get (a week) between $20.30 and $80, for carers the industry workers get between $30.35 and $60.35 plus $9.85 on top for hygiene amenities for all prisoners.

The real reason that I'm writing is not to whinge about our calls or our pay per week, it is about the lack of pen-pal services to give prisoners like myself connection and community whilst incarcerated to stop or prevent depression and giving them a sense of hope and an outlet to discuss their lives and make friends. I've been in custody for 4 years so far and getting mail call is the highlight of my day and the highlight of so many others inside but there isn't anything available for prisoners other than listening to the prison radio show if you can pick it up on FM or if you have a DAB+ Radio but if you don’t you miss out.

Sincerely,  

Jason

Woodford CC

To About Time,

My name is Jason, I'm currently in Woodford CC in QLD. It is hard to communicate from here. The phones are 10c per 30 seconds for landlines, 35c per 30 seconds for mobile calls and 40c per call for local numbers. The time limits vary from center to center. For Woodford, it’s 10 minutes for Secure and 12 minutes for Res, for Brisbane CC it’s eight minutes, for Maryborough CC it's six minute calls, for Arthur Gorrie CC it's ten minutes. So the calls are between $5–$10 for mobiles and $1–$2.60 for landlines. Paid unit workers get (a week) between $20.30 and $80, for carers the industry workers get between $30.35 and $60.35 plus $9.85 on top for hygiene amenities for all prisoners.

The real reason that I'm writing is not to whinge about our calls or our pay per week, it is about the lack of pen-pal services to give prisoners like myself connection and community whilst incarcerated to stop or prevent depression and giving them a sense of hope and an outlet to discuss their lives and make friends. I've been in custody for 4 years so far and getting mail call is the highlight of my day and the highlight of so many others inside but there isn't anything available for prisoners other than listening to the prison radio show if you can pick it up on FM or if you have a DAB+ Radio but if you don’t you miss out.

Sincerely,  

Jason

Woodford CC

Staying Strong

By Mel

My name is Mel. In July, my partner overdosed while I was locked up in Tasmania. The staff there were amazing.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

A Charity Fund From Inside: Even $1 Each Would Make a Difference

By Jonathon

I want to propose a system where once a week or once a month it is an option to donate to a charity from money from our inmate accounts.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

‘I Continue to Laugh in the Face of Adversity’: Newtown’s ‘Dreamer’ Muralist on PTSD and Prison

By Andrew

'Nuff Respect, Kudos, and Vast Appreciation on your Magnificent, Pertinent and Poignant Periodical that just keeps getting better. WORD UP!!!

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

Autism and Mental Illness: Prison Isn’t the Right Place

By Garry

I would just like to mention a few things I’ve noticed around prison regarding inmates with both autistic and mental illness traits. Who says these inmates are right to go to prison and not a hospital?

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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