ISSUE NO. 19
February 2026
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Letters

We Need to Talk About Steroids

By
Ahmed

Ahmed writes from a prison in VIC.

Samuel Girven via Unsplash

Hello About Time.

Thanks for publishing my article in Issue 14. Reading through it, I came across another article that got my attention: ‘The Dark Side of Gains’ by Ronin Cruise.

I would like to agree – why is steroid use not discussed in any drug programs?

I was also a steroid user in my life, starting at the age of 15 or so, seeing all those big boys and being around older friends doing roids. I wanted to be like them, plus I was being bullied all the time.

It is true; it was about gains and looking good but also for me it was to look intimidating, so as I progressed from a skinny bloke to a guy that was buffed, it made me more confident – talking, walking the streets and standing up for myself.

It was also the mentality I had about women: “If a man can take care of himself then he can take care of me and they feel safe around big boys like that.”

So yes, there are positives about steroids but negatives as well and it doesn’t help if someone has anger issues and uses other drugs. I’ve had a few run-ins with road rage and incidents around town, including a run-in with cops one nice summer night with my girlfriend.

It was good to see the bullies from my past back away while all jacked, but in reality, it creates more bullies that want to try you.

When I get out I’m going to be hitting the gym but not sure if I’ll be taking steroids.

It all comes down to willpower, money and attitude, mentality.

Anyway, great paper, keep it rolling.

Hello About Time.

Thanks for publishing my article in Issue 14. Reading through it, I came across another article that got my attention: ‘The Dark Side of Gains’ by Ronin Cruise.

I would like to agree – why is steroid use not discussed in any drug programs?

I was also a steroid user in my life, starting at the age of 15 or so, seeing all those big boys and being around older friends doing roids. I wanted to be like them, plus I was being bullied all the time.

It is true; it was about gains and looking good but also for me it was to look intimidating, so as I progressed from a skinny bloke to a guy that was buffed, it made me more confident – talking, walking the streets and standing up for myself.

It was also the mentality I had about women: “If a man can take care of himself then he can take care of me and they feel safe around big boys like that.”

So yes, there are positives about steroids but negatives as well and it doesn’t help if someone has anger issues and uses other drugs. I’ve had a few run-ins with road rage and incidents around town, including a run-in with cops one nice summer night with my girlfriend.

It was good to see the bullies from my past back away while all jacked, but in reality, it creates more bullies that want to try you.

When I get out I’m going to be hitting the gym but not sure if I’ll be taking steroids.

It all comes down to willpower, money and attitude, mentality.

Anyway, great paper, keep it rolling.

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

2 MIN READ

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

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

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