I have been in prison for over 13 years and I want to say that your newspaper is an amazing opportunity for all who have put the time in and it has been very well received throughout the Victorian Prison System.
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Feedback From Our Readers
Every day we receive letters from people in prison. Many share the impact of About Time on their lives. Readers have told us that they feel as if they have a voice for the very first time. Some talk about how the paper has helped them connect to others and lessen isolation. Many talk about the educative benefit of the paper, while others praise the newfound hope and sense of self-worth they feel reading a publication just for them. Here are all of their words.

I've been following your paper and I love it. I find it very cool and entertaining.
Congratulations on the launch of About Time. I can only imagine how many obstacles you have navigated to successfully sail the product into Australia's prisons, and from where I sit it was very warmly received by the inmates, security and medical staff that I share time with. Well done, and thank you for delivering us something we didn't know we needed until we received it.
This is my first time and I must say, stumbling across About Time has made things so much better. The open, honest, raw and relatable articles are real gems and resonate hugely.
Anyway, I felt compelled to contribute so here follows a few submissions for your consideration.
About Time
There is a great paper 'About Time',
Which is free and won't cost you a dime,
With articles galore,
It is never a bore,
And provides a refreshing angle on crime!
Finally a voice for the unseen and unheard. First huge step in connecting prisoners.
There are way too many problems in jail, so to hope for better solutions is always an interesting find. Also staying connected to other's thoughts and feelings – it sort of feels like a union paper.
I certainly agree it helps give a more earnest effort of confidence in writing, but I do believe it is more to do with the burning feelings in one's heart that makes them feel compelled to write. Improved writing skills is just a bonus.
I personally look forward to the paper, as do so many others in prison. The impact was very moving – to hear other stories, to see legal opportunities available as well as fun stuff to do to keep us occupied (especially with so many lockdowns). It is in the word 'Impact' – To Act!
Its my first time reading this paper and I love every thing that it offers, thank you for sharing information that all prisoners need to know.
It makes you feel like your feelings and thoughts are valid and others can relate to how you feel and together we can over come this negative time in our lives and turn this experience into a positive and heal and live your best life.
Because it comes from us that live it, us the real people that experience jail life every day every minute, people on the outside should really learn what actually goes on and the mistreatment we as prisoners go through we are all not bad people.
This is just the first of many times I will submit my words, my feelings and my thoughts I will continue to offer my help and guidance even when I am released.
Its good to share and connect without judgement give you self confidence.
I'd like to give a shout-out to Vanessa from prison in WA and welcome to About Time. I discovered About Time early last year 2025 and always look forward each month for the read. Last year in two seperate issues I had stories published and seeing them in the national prison newspaper was the best feeling.
I've always had a love for writing but never had the time, now incarcerated I have nothing but time so I decided to put pen to paper and with two stories published I am now working on writing a book.
Sometimes when we write something worth publishing it is when we least expect it. For me writing is a powerful tool that helps with my mental health.
Keep up the good work and never give up writing, I look forward to future stories.
I first and foremost would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work that goes into producing and providing myself and the other prisoners in Australia with your truly captivating content.
Your work and effort does not go unnoticed.
Thank you to the team at About Time for your efforts and hard work making the newspaper what it is.
I relate to a lot of people in this paper. I feel comfort in knowing I'm not alone in custody. I feel more connected, and well heard.
I feel submitting/participating in surveys makes me feel as my input is valued towards making a better paper! It's helped boredom and helped me better understand jail, as it's my first time (been here 4 months).
Keep producing a great paper! Thousands of us appreciate it! Love from Charlotte.
I can't tell you how glad I was to see this paper come into my unit, a sign that times can and always will change the way we live, especially in prison.
It was great to see prisoners being spoken of in a constructive and positive way, as I'm sure you're aware that isn't the norm in Australia. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully reading your newspaper.
To read about people experiencing almost the same things that bother me makes me feel less isolated and that I am not crazy, some peace of mind and relativity, empathy and understanding.
To read about others going through the same experience is reassuring and comforting, it helps kill time, learn, laugh and relate.
Keep up the good work. We need you :)
He was pretty happy when he called, and had already cut the exercises out to stick on the wall in his cell!
Thanks again Edith. I hope all in the AT team really understand how much difference the paper makes.
This paper deserves all the support it can get. A way for prisoners to express their honest stories and gifts. A real way to heal and rehabilitate encouraging others to do the same.
I love this newspaper and enjoy reading it from front to back and back to front. I really enjoy looking at the artworks. You published one of my artworks, DEEP OCEAN, so thank you. I am very proud of that artwork. I taught myself to do art as I was severely bullied and abused, mentally, and physically, growing up and until this very day and I find it is good escape for my mental health. It helps me copy with all the bullshit and bullying that goes on in this place, that I've called home for the past 9 years. I have a minimum of 6 years left to go and then hopefully I can leave this place behind me. I'm not sure where I will restart my life once I'm out, but I guess I still have time to sort that out lol. Well that's all I wanted to say so thank you and keep up the wonderful work.
I am thankful for any and all social and creative outlets such as yourselves involved in the creation and distribution of your newspaper. They provide a link or window to another place, an opening for personal expression and a greater sense of community for those who choose to make use of the opportunities. Writing a book review for a peer newsletter that might only be read by a hundred or so inmates at one prison may not change the world, but having someone stop you in the yard to tell you that they were impressed with your writing is valuable and reinvigorating.
About Time gives a sense of community and belonging. It’s valuable to have my opinion heard and respected, to stay feeling valued and worthy.
To have a voice, to be heard with no fear of judgment. It gives a clearer perspective and to know that others experience the same things as we do in these places. Hear and see other peoples stories and know there is no judgement.
Because the truths are being printed rather than hidden.
About Time gives prisoners a voice and a platform. In life being heard is so important, and makes you feel you have something to offer. Contributing made me feel valued.
So many relatable stories, letters etc, when you thought you were alone in your experience or thoughts. The relatable content really makes you feel that you are not alone. Everyone's experience is unique but there is plenty of articles/letters that reflect my own experience.
In my 4th week of prison (1st time) it has given me more insight and validated so much of my feeling/experience. It is already making a hard situation somewhat better and has given me a more positive feeling (even though some articles expose so much of what is wrong with the system!).
I just want to thank you and the team, and the contributors, for providing a publication that is so raw, honest and relatable.
Keep up the great work, you are making a difference and helping countless people get through this experience!
About Time has positively impacted my belief in myself. It has real life stories from real life prisoners.
About Time is an avenue that we can express our frustrations, our gratitude and facts. It is a honest and reliable source that we can depend on, it is stories and facts from prisoners that hasn’t been distorted. None of the stories have been doctored. I really enjoy reading this honest media outlet. Thank you!
I read your paper the night previous, and a part of me that previously was dead or dying suddenly felt alive and connected to others with similar struggles and trauma … So I just want to say thanks for your newsletter/prison paper.
Wow, I won the caption comp for December... I've never won anything and the whole jail is congratulating me. Our jail was never told about your newspaper – but in November 2024 it just showed up and all 120 girls love it. So please, please keep it up. ... Thank you for the write up on pen pal programs – I've been in jail for four and a half years and always watch a show called Love After Lockup based on the USA pen pal project ... Anyway guys, thank you for your newspaper. We eagerly await it every month here.
I write to About Time so others can see their stories matter and others will maybe write in too or tell there families to. Cause it helps to deal with being stuck and also lets me get it out.
It makes me feel pain is only a thought not a feeling and everyone goes through it some don’t show it. Cause I see others feel it or live it too, I feel their pain as I too have lived it or gone through it.
It is a space of free speech and also gives good advice and also hope and strength.
About Time helps me relate to my problems knowing others are also dealing with similar problems I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I feel that I have a connection to others with similar struggles and that I am not alone. I don’t feel as isolated over the past six years doing hard time.
It has given me the confidence in trying to write better and for help in bettering myself pre-release.
Due to reading this I know there is help and that there’s always some one worse off needing help.
Thank you for your work providing the About Time platform which allows creativity and expression a space to flourish.
Last night I woke up with something I had to write down which is just how it happens, and I wrote this poem that I would like to share with everybody. I hope you like it too.
It would be nice if you could publish it as it is my hope that it will help people form more positive relationships in their lives and help contribute to a more pro-social society.
Thank you, I enjoy reading your newspaper.
To About Time,
Thank you for your newspaper. I look forward to reading it each month. Its great! I enjoyed it from the first time I read it last year. Its made me feel connected, seen & heard. When I first went to jail I felt really alone and your newspaper helped me so much. Someone – well lots of someones – got how I felt. They understood. Thank you for that. I've written this poem while incarcerated. I really hope you will publish it for me.
Keep up the hard work – we need you guys.
This this paper is dedicated to prisoners which helps our mind health in so many ways.
The stories are from prisoners who want to share their views with others and that helps us do our time. It meant I could share my story with others who are feeling the same way. I feel this paper allows us to connect with each other.
About Time is a great way to learn what is happening in other jails. It was a chance to use my writing skills and use the tools to tell a story. Love this paper.
Please keep up the great work and thanks for giving us a voice.
Thank you for what you do.
I have no contact with my brother who is in prison and the newspaper gives me great comfort knowing I have some small insight into his life, a way I can connect with his world.
To About Time,
I only just discovered the prison newspaper last month in April 2026.
I spent all day reading and sharing the newspaper here at Melaleuca Women’s Prison.
I had only just begun writing again since getting incarcerated this year in January.
When I found out about About Time I was excited to be able to write in to the national prison newspaper.
I do look forward to reading some of the submitted written work of others and possibly hope to enter into the next writing competition!
From Vanessa.
About Time has been a lifeline - when I was inside, it gave me a sense of purpose and feelings of camaraderie. The stories were really powerful. I have a chronic illness and suffer from intense pain, and writing for About Time has given me something to focus on and prevents me from going to dark places. Without About Time I don't know where I would be.
About Time helped both me and my partner on the outside share some situationaI awareness. Cannot wait for the paper each month. The articles by other prisoners resonate with my own inner voice, they give my own feelings more universality. Submitting my writing feels as if I can make a difference.
Thank you About Time! Amazing work.
About Time is filled with good and thoughtful people issues, because we all have contributed to it. Misery loves company, so to speak. I’m now 9 jail sentences in so am very much used to this but this is for us crims and has made us feel connected and that someone gives a f**k. By making us write letters, it helped stimulate the brain.
The paper gives me a positive attitude is because I felt good when I read this. Thank you and I love your work.
Hello About Time and Readers,
I love getting the opportunity to learn about other prisoners and their stories from all over the country. We all have something to share and I encourage everyone to give it a go. Finding purpose is how we thrive beyond survival against all odds, especially in these circumstances that I'm sure we can all relate to.
Shout out to my girls at DPFC and anyone else incarcerated, struggling with their own consciousness.
A gracious thank you to About Time for giving us a necessary platform to express ourselves.
Dear Rosie,
I just want to say how happy I am to receive a reply from you. I never expected an acknowledgement of receipt, let along a letter. This means a world to me. It shows that someone was kind enough to take their time to read through and understand what it meant and appreciate the event and the effects it bears upon the writer. I can not thank you enough for that.
Dear About Time,
I was very excited to see the writing competition article in the latest edition. Included is my submission. It's based on my own happy place (nature) and even if it's nowhere near good enough to be included in the newspaper, just having the chance to write creatively is fantastic. So thank you.
Dear About Time,
Thank you once again for your amazing publication. I know I speak for myself and many of the other men here when I say that you publication is valued and appreciatedand we look forward to its arrival each month. It certainly becomes a central discussion point in the yard in the days following its distribution here. Both myself and the other men within my accommodation lodge read over every edition repeatedly.
I've written to you once previously with a poem that didn't make the cut. I hope my submission this time around is more in line with the material you're looking to publish. Once again, thank you for your incredible work in continuing to support, connect, and inform incarcerated men and women across the country.

About Time allows for expression, and a platform to be seen and heard, in a space with little other options for us. Had over a dozen people say they read and enjoyed my writings after they were published. Can be yourself in the written word, free thought and expression of mind.
I submitted to feel seen/heard, in an environment where we’re not; had a lot of feedback from friends inside and a nice letter from the outside posted in reply.
About time has given me hope: there are people on the outside who are trying to make some positive changes for us inmates. It's good to know there are people on the outside advocating for us inmates. Reading About Time, there are many inmates having to deal with issues similar to mine.

Thank you for providing a platform for connection and creative expression for the most marginalised cohorts in our communities. People who write in prison authentically honestly and vulnerably in the stories and experiences they share. Articles and contributions read as authentic, honest and raw.
About Time is now my favourite paper in prison. Just because we're in prison doesn't mean everyone would forget about us. With About Time – we are not forgotten. Thank you.
Again, congratulations to you and your staff for "About Time". I am so impressed.
I contribute to About Time so that others can relate to my experience in some way or there’s been something I’ve related to.
We may be seen as criminals but we are also human beings who have rights, rights that are being stripped from us. Thank you to all the About Time team, you have given us all a voice, lets hope it can be heard.
I thank you again for everything, the newspaper, your letters and the time you take reading mine. You have been an inspirational part of my journey and have helped contribute to my focus of change for a better and successful future and pursuit of living up to my true potential and ultimately striving to live my best possible life. Thank you.
I really enjoy your paper and the articles and the art are unreal.
To the wonderful people who volunteer their time and effort to make About Time possible… Thank you About Time for giving inmates a platform to express their concerns.
Lastly About Time, keep up doing a great job, your help getting our stories out to others helps us all.
Heard of your work on radio national well done.
Dear About Time readers,
First up, I really enjoy reading all your letters, so keep sending them in. I've been thinking about writing a letter myself about a wide variety of topics, but I'd like to ask in this letter, how do you deal with lockdowns?
Congratulations on your 12th issue. One year seems so fast when you look back on it. I look forward to each and every issue, thanks again.
Thank you most kindly for your words about my latest article, 'When Your Mind Turns Against You: Understanding Depression in Prison.' It came straight from the heart.
Together we can effect positive change, and About Time is a blessed resource for doing just that. Your work is immensely meaningful.
Kind regards, and many thanks for your continuous work every month to deliver yet another great monthly edition of "About Time".

I have been eagerly awaiting the June edition. Thank you kindly for reading my letter, and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Thanks so much for printing my 'always someone worse off than you' story in Issue N°4. I've been motivated to put together a rough draft for a guide to help new prisoners acclimatise to their new surroundings.
The articles and stories you read in 'About Time' and other outlets change lives. They have the power to help people to make informed choices. And they can also inspire readers to think in different ways and try different things. Being a writer is exciting and rewarding. So, this article is for all those people who have tinkered with the idea of penning a story. This publication, like all publications, is always on the lookout for fresh talent.
About Time has given me the opportunity to express myself in writing. This helps with my rehabilitation. Thank you for this opportunity.
Thanks for the great newspaper.
I do love getting your publication. I cut it into A4 sections and send them to my son, who is in an NT prison. Only 5 cut-out pages at a time, of course!

This is the first time we have seen your newspaper, I found it informative and entertaining.
Thank you for everything you do. An amazing and important initiative that has to keep existing.
Thank you for sending this newspaper to the residents here, they have arrived and as always there has been a positive response.
I'm writing to you guys, because I'm a big fan of the work you do and what the newspaper represents, and because I'd like to share some advice and tips on how to make the most of your time inside.
Thanks About Time! Thanks Rosie! Publishing my writing means so much to me and gives me hope I might use my writing to get me out of this life. Please write back with any advice or thoughts! Can't wait to see my writing in next month's edition!
I recently discovered your publication while flicking through the resources on my tablet but have now gone through and read all the back issues available… it's fantastic and look forward to its release each month.
Thumbs up from everyone for the newspaper, it's amazing!
Once again I offer congratulations for your January edition.
About Time reminds me that I'm not alone in the prison. I'm human just like you. It allows community to exist outside of individual prisons. It gives varied opinions, even people who disagree with each other. It's refreshing. It gave me something to do that feels important. I have a voice.
I will continue to send in creative writing pieces. Thanks again for all your encouragement. It means a great deal to me.
This newspaper is a fantastic idea and I am glad it comes here.
Great to see how the publication is putting forward items of interest to inmates, such as the expansion of education in venues.
Love your work!
The paper is so great. Thank you About Time!
Thank you for your newspapers, you do a fantastic job of being entertaining as well as resourceful.

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. Anyway, great paper, keep it rolling.
Thank you so much for the paper. It has been quite the eye opener for me, eight months into a two year sentence. Among the views expressed, many about their time, reflecting on boredom, lack of resources and so on, and I thought to add my older prisoner view simply because so many of your readers here at Wolston are older men, though I assume many of the same or similar issues happen to women as well.
Thank you About Time – the printed voice of the prisons.
First of all thank you so much for all the knowledge you collect and put in these newspapers. Really appreciate it.
I love seeing The Torch artwork in here - they do so much for the Mob in jail. Keep up the good work. Happy New Year to all the Black Mob behind bars.
Firstly, let me say, only recently discovered your publication while flicking through the resources on my tablet but have now gone through and read all the back issues available.. it's fantastic and look forward to its release each month. Again, love your work, keep it up and keep on smiling.
About Time Newspaper,
Thank you for making a paper for us prisoners. Its one of the only things we get in here that gives us some hope.
Its full of inspirational stories and good information and gives us space to have our say.
So everyone who is involved, thank you so much.
Just good to see us Blackfellas get something as we don’t get much down here and we are locked down well over 50% of the time.
Your newspaper is fantastic and is extremely valuable, sharing experiences and knowledge between prisons in all states of Australia as well as the world - Helping all gain insight into practices and procedures as well as outlining certain indiscrepencies. It is wonderful to see such a vast array of people writing in to share their views, feelings and sharing their lived experiences within the system. Thank you to all those involved and keep up the great work!
The men in these four pods enjoy the material. I continue to encourage them to read and write!!
Look forward to July issue.
It's a bolstering feeling when we get the paper inside. For a moment it feels like we're being remembered as human beings – and not faceless offenders identified only by a series of numbers.
Thanks for your time and effort.
I enjoy reading the publications in your paper, it is a great idea and a lot of the stories are extremely relatable and remind me that I am not alone. It is helpful to hear a lot of people across the nation are facing similar battles, including the revolving door with incarceration.... Thank you for reading, looking forward to your next issue, hopefully some of my work makes the cut!
First I would to thank anyone who has been and is involved with About Time. As a "first timer" this paper is a vital vehicle for information of prison life from across the nation, I look forward to every issue and it reminds me there is life waiting outside.
Hello to About Time, and all readers everywhere.
Sometimes when I'm alone I enjoy writing to try and take my mind from where I am. This is one of the poems. I hope you enjoy! Thanks a lot for providing me the opportunity to express myself and my thoughts to my fellow incarcerated people! Keep your head high guys and girls… Let them lock up our bodies but never our minds...
Thank you and congratulations on the publication of the national prisoner's newspaper, "About Time".
Your initiative is offering many the "therapy" necessary to earn back self-respect and enabling them to choose to find a purpose for good, while they make their amends during their incarceration.
They say: "The pen is mightier than the sword". To see their contributions in print will be the first time for some that they have been "heard" and may enable them with respect to transform their lives - to honestly rehabilitate.
The paper is well-read and discussed. The smiles on faces knowing some of the contributors is encouraging.
The few that have gotten a copy are really pleased with it (including myself) though and look forward to seeing more issues from you in the future. As well as sending you some contributions. Keep up the great work, thank you and we will keep you updated on any progress with its distribution.
Thank you for provide this platform for incarcerated people able to share their experience and stories. Actually I don’t really believe a lot people in community really care about what happen inside walls nor do they care about incarcerated people at all. So the rarity of this platform is invaluable.
By reading About Time makes me more aware that what I'm experiencing is actually a shared common experience. There is a large group people across Australia in same shoes, makes me feel that I'm not alone. To understand that my experience is actually a shared experience with thousands people across country make me feel a connection.
I gave paper copies of AT out to inmates with tablets today, and got a round of applause for it. One guy said it’s the best thing anyone has done for them, so yes please, keep them coming. I will promote it internally. Inmates said it was like being reconnected with the world again.
PS: If you receive mail from Belinda, please publish her entry. Seeing her achieve that would make me very happy. Thank you :)
Keep up the wonderful work you all do.
I think you do a great job, that's appreciated by prisoners and outsiders/staff alike. Keep up the fabulous work!
This newspaper has really opened my eyes that there is more to life than just prison, reading other peoples stories. I like to read the stories from other inmates around Australia as I can relate to them, made me feel valued.
I find it so fun and enjoyable to read, I love the poems and drawings people write and draw I find great enjoyment in all the other stuff too!!
I’m a long-term reader, I enjoy reading your paper it makes me feel as if I’m home, my Pop always buys the local paper and I enjoy kicking back and having a read.
So thank you for providing us with this.
It arrived yesterday thank you so much! The residents really enjoy reading them.
First of all I would like to say what an awesome magazine – keep up the good work.
I, and my mates, enjoy your paper and I've enclosed a copy of the last page of an actual letter I wrote my wife last week.

Thank you for taking time to read my letter and I hope to hear your response.
I read the About Time newspaper every month, and I'm always looking forward to next month's one! This is my first time writing to you guys, and I want to thank you for reading my letter.
My husband got his copy of the August edition today and was very delighted. Thank you for the work you and Rosie do. We need more people like you.
Keep up the good work, I love reading About Time as I find some sections informative and interesting.

They have been distributed and the residents were very appreciative.
Thank you also for a very interesting and informative paper. Especially that it gives this office a prisoner perspective also. Keep up the good work.

About Time made me look at things different. I wrote because I just wanted to share my experience.
Love your work!!
PS. and a big thank you to Australia's National Prison Newspaper and everyone that has published something – onya!
I heard about you on Radio National this morning. What a brilliant idea.
Since reading the December issue of About Time, I have started to read the Bible. I want to say I am not a religious person, but there are so many things I can relate to and I think I am getting to know myself better through reading it. I don't think I would have picked it up if not for Denis's letter published in the December 2024 issue; a very big thank you to you my friend you have been a big influence on many people over the years. I look forward to more poetry. Keep up the good work mate.
Once again, I offer congratulations for your May edition. Many of the artists here look forward to inspiration from the well presented artworks. Thanks again for your continued valuable publishing prints. Keep up the good work.
Dear 'About Time' editors,
The poetry by Leslie at Ravenhall and Robert here at Wolston really stood out for me.


I am a prison chaplain and I see how your paper is so important to the women I have the privilege to walk alongside. Thank you!
Thanks again for the opportunity to hone our skills.

I appreciate your time and I love your paper and its content.

Thank you for all you do in putting together About Time and sending it into prisons. I certainly found it helpful and informative while I was inside. I look forward to reading the next edition of About Time when it comes out. I really like the way you have formatted your website. A bit easier to follow and read compared to what was on the NSW tablet version. Keep up the good work.
I would like to say a big thanks to the publishers of About Time newspaper for creating such a good opportunity for inmates have a turn to talk and share. Thanks for shining a light on our darkness.
The paper enables folks to survive on the inside and then reimagine life beyond it.
First of all I would like to say I look forward to and appreciate your monthly newspaper very much, as do many other prisoners nationwide. A big massive congratulations on your 2 year birthday and going national, everyone involved deserves a standing ovation (all involved and prisoners nationwide as everyone is a contributor and as they say, (EVERY ONES A WINNER). I hope I can contribute one day in some way and once again thank you for your newspaper.
Included is a poem written by Michael and my honest response of encouragement. May it offer hope to anyone who challenges themselves to choose to heal toward being a quality human. There are so many men wanting to transform. There are many who hear their pain. There are too few who truly listen. About Time gives all a voice to proclaim their sorrow and continue their amends. This challenges all to honestly listen with compassion and care. Thanks to you and your professionalism for making transformation possible.
Thank you so much for running my fire breathing piece in January's edition. Lovely to see it there. Happy to continue contributing into the future.