ISSUE NO. 21
April 2026
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Letters

Same Boys, Same Noise

Anonymous

The author was imprisoned in Australia.

Larry Farr via Unsplash

It was another day in the yard. Same boys, same noise.

I was comfortable, as much as I could be considering the circumstances.

I had been in better yards – but not many, probably one to be honest.

And it was the same yard, same location. Just different people. You learn who’s doing the long stints really quick.

Testosterone grew amongst the younger boys, always something to prove, much more willing than most. Naturally they ganged together.

“They didn’t scare me, we were friends, and I’d still probably shake the little bastard’s hands” – Vishus Emcee 2026

That last sentence sums up jail. For anyone, anywhere. Jail is just society amplified.

“Freedom is the choice to say no” – Shantaram

I slept peacefully that night. But I will never forget the smell in my room. Like iron … almost metallic.

The room was clean, spotless. I made that point clear to the boys.

It took me a week to spot a drop of blood.

I felt sorry for the man, and I gave him a hug.

To this day, I admire his strength.

He never said a word. The guards found out a few days later after finally requesting he remove his beanie and glasses.

Life is unfair, people get dealt shit cards.

How much do you really care about your fellow man?

Would you step in if they were facing death?

Thank you for letting me share <3

It was another day in the yard. Same boys, same noise.

I was comfortable, as much as I could be considering the circumstances.

I had been in better yards – but not many, probably one to be honest.

And it was the same yard, same location. Just different people. You learn who’s doing the long stints really quick.

Testosterone grew amongst the younger boys, always something to prove, much more willing than most. Naturally they ganged together.

“They didn’t scare me, we were friends, and I’d still probably shake the little bastard’s hands” – Vishus Emcee 2026

That last sentence sums up jail. For anyone, anywhere. Jail is just society amplified.

“Freedom is the choice to say no” – Shantaram

I slept peacefully that night. But I will never forget the smell in my room. Like iron … almost metallic.

The room was clean, spotless. I made that point clear to the boys.

It took me a week to spot a drop of blood.

I felt sorry for the man, and I gave him a hug.

To this day, I admire his strength.

He never said a word. The guards found out a few days later after finally requesting he remove his beanie and glasses.

Life is unfair, people get dealt shit cards.

How much do you really care about your fellow man?

Would you step in if they were facing death?

Thank you for letting me share <3

Lessons from Bees

By Muhamed

Prison teaches people to hold back. To keep to themselves. To give as little as possible. To protect what little energy or hope they have left. When everything feels limited – time, freedom, trust – it makes sense to think that giving more will leave you with less. But the bee lives by a different rule.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

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Albany Prisoners on Lockdowns

By Prisoners at Albany Prison, WA

We are not sure who to write to or who we can talk to about theses matters. We are hoping someone reads our letter and can point us in the right direction to have our voices heard.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

1 MIN READ

Rights for Foreign Prisoners

By Luiing

If foreign prisoners have been sentenced under same law as Australians, then it’s extremely important that they have right to be treat equally in their imprisonment – on humanitarian grounds.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Not Cool: Heat and Overcrowding in TMCC

By Dane

The following is in response to the article by Denham Sadler titled “Sweltering Behind Bars: Stifling Heat in Australian prisons”.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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