ISSUE NO. 20
March 2026
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Letters

We Want to Get Healthy in Prison – So Why Can’t We Buy Protein Powder?

By
Joeby

Joeby writes from a prison in QLD.

Aleksander Saks via Unsplash

I’m an inmate at MCC. I am writing in hope my opinion may reach a broader network. It seems MCC is outdated in regards to basic facilities.

We come to prison in the hope we can get sober, healthy and fit.

While all other prisons in Queensland allow prisoners to not just have access to usable gym equipment that isn’t outdated and damaged but also allow prisoners to purchase basic health supplements and equipment related to training gloves, creative and protein powders.

Here at MCC we are limited to weight bags and medicine balls. We cannot purchase creatine or protein powders, training gloves or any other essential items that other prisoners at other centres can purchase.

I don’t see this as fair – these items are allowed elsewhere, why can’t we buy them here?

These basic things lift morale and give us prisoners that want to train and see results a little more motivation.

At the end of the day, the centres that do allow these supplements are also run via QCS.

We are all entitled to the same buy-ups but not the same fitness-essential items.

Thank you.

I’m an inmate at MCC. I am writing in hope my opinion may reach a broader network. It seems MCC is outdated in regards to basic facilities.

We come to prison in the hope we can get sober, healthy and fit.

While all other prisons in Queensland allow prisoners to not just have access to usable gym equipment that isn’t outdated and damaged but also allow prisoners to purchase basic health supplements and equipment related to training gloves, creative and protein powders.

Here at MCC we are limited to weight bags and medicine balls. We cannot purchase creatine or protein powders, training gloves or any other essential items that other prisoners at other centres can purchase.

I don’t see this as fair – these items are allowed elsewhere, why can’t we buy them here?

These basic things lift morale and give us prisoners that want to train and see results a little more motivation.

At the end of the day, the centres that do allow these supplements are also run via QCS.

We are all entitled to the same buy-ups but not the same fitness-essential items.

Thank you.

Sistas, Support Each Other!

By Anonymous

This letter is to remind you all that, as Sistas, we need to be there for one another to raise women up.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

Strip Searches

By Nikita

It’s daunting enough when you get arrested by police, then placed into custody and thrown into a cell. Then you have to go through a degrading strip search.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

1 MIN READ

If It’s Broken, Then Fix It

By Andrew

I’ve spent most of my adult life behind bars, and I’m not proud to say it. It’s been such a bloody waste.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 MIN READ

Routine is Good, Not Bad

By Dane

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in prison can relate to the concept of prison rituals and routines.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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Without About Time, I don’t know where I would be – Mark, from a prison in Victoria

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