Hey there. My name is Sash. Today marks my 9th day in custody since my arrest. I'm here this time for driving whilst disqualified. I've just been sentenced yesterday to 10 months with a 5-month non-parole period.

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I'm sure you're wondering why I got 10 months for driving whilst disqualified. Well I guess I should've mentioned that this is my 9th time being charged with similar offenses, as well as breaching community corrections orders for previous times.

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This is my second time incarcerated; the last time being when I was remanded earlier this year. As much as I'm ashamed to admit it, I came in here this time much "wiser" in the sense that I knew how to navigate the system better, what to expect, and what to not expect from Corrective Services.

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The first time I was brought here, I self harmed, so I got put on the Risk Intervention Team (RIT) where you basically lose every single right – not even to plastic cutlery (food was poured on paper plates). I was not even allowed clothes, underwear, or even a hair tie. The staff could not find them after and I did not get them back when cleared to a normal pod.

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To be honest, I was not physically or mentally prepared for jail as I did not think I would actually be locked up one day.

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I think one of the most beneficial advice that I received was from a Services and Programs Officer (SAPO) at reception. He taught me about the Buddhist teaching of the concept of Attachment. Whilst I'm an Atheist, I found that the principle was very enlightening (pun intended). I realised that my attachment to everything I had in the community was making it very hard to adapt to prison life. I was constantly stressed about what was going to happen to my car, my pet chickens, my plants and trees, my university enrollment, my belongings, my work, my bills and debts, my ongoing subscriptions and direct debits, and so many other things that were beyond my control from prison. It was only when I was able to slowly let go of everything I was attached to, it was surprisingly easy to adapt and adjust to my new life in prison.

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For anyone struggling to come to terms with the fact that you're suddenly in custody, I'd say to think about the positives. I know that sounds absolutely crazy –  "what's positive about jail??" That’s what I said when I was first given that advice. But let’s face it – for most of us, our life in the community wasn't exactly perfect. I daresay that there were some issues you were struggling with that led you to commit offenses to land yourself in here. For me, that was the lack of a license, an addiction to methamphetamine (and an array of other drugs), and being stressed and overwhelmed with everything going on in my life. In fact, it is going to be my 22nd birthday this Tuesday, and I'm lowkey glad I no longer have to worry about planning a birthday party.

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I'm going to use this as a break from the hectic life I was living and to improve myself through programs, education, and employment. I hope that I will be released as a new and better person and to not be confined to the walls of a prison cell thereafter for hopefully years or even decades.

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If you're reading this from prison too, I hope you will be able to make the most of your time. I know that it's hard but know you're not alone.  

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Stay safe and take care friends xx

Sasha