ISSUE NO. 19
February 2026
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Letters

You Are Not a Number

By
Rhiannon

Rhiannon writes from NSW.

Willy Pleasance

To anyone reading this inside,

I don’t know your name, your story, or the road that brought you here but I do know this: you matter. Right now. Exactly as you are.

Some days inside are heavier than others. Time drags. Walls feel closer. The noise gets louder, or the silence does. On those days, I hope you remember this: you are not forgotten, even when it feels like the world has gone quiet.

You are more than a number.

More than your worst mistake.

More than the version of yourself you’re still trying to understand.

There are people out here who see you as human, who believe growth is real, change is possible, and that hearts don’t stop beating just because doors are locked.

You are still worthy of kindness, laughter, and moments that make you smile, even if they come in small pieces right now.

If today is rough, take it one breath at a time. If you’re tired, rest where you can. If you’re angry, know it doesn’t make you broken. If you’re hurting, it doesn’t make you weak. Surviving takes strength and you’ve already proven you have it.

One day this chapter will be behind you. It won’t define your whole story. The future is still listening, still waiting for the person you’re becoming.

Until then, please remember this: you are loved more than you realise, even by people you haven’t met yet. And someone, somewhere, is wishing you peace tonight.

Keep going.

You’re not alone,

We see you.

To anyone reading this inside,

I don’t know your name, your story, or the road that brought you here but I do know this: you matter. Right now. Exactly as you are.

Some days inside are heavier than others. Time drags. Walls feel closer. The noise gets louder, or the silence does. On those days, I hope you remember this: you are not forgotten, even when it feels like the world has gone quiet.

You are more than a number.

More than your worst mistake.

More than the version of yourself you’re still trying to understand.

There are people out here who see you as human, who believe growth is real, change is possible, and that hearts don’t stop beating just because doors are locked.

You are still worthy of kindness, laughter, and moments that make you smile, even if they come in small pieces right now.

If today is rough, take it one breath at a time. If you’re tired, rest where you can. If you’re angry, know it doesn’t make you broken. If you’re hurting, it doesn’t make you weak. Surviving takes strength and you’ve already proven you have it.

One day this chapter will be behind you. It won’t define your whole story. The future is still listening, still waiting for the person you’re becoming.

Until then, please remember this: you are loved more than you realise, even by people you haven’t met yet. And someone, somewhere, is wishing you peace tonight.

Keep going.

You’re not alone,

We see you.

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

Welcome to About Time

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

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