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.
Hi Rosie,
Really great that you attend some of our writing days here at DPFC.

About Time arrived yesterday, and both my wife and I would like to thank you very much for sending it to us. It is a very interesting newspaper and it must be of benefit to a lot of inmates. Thank you again Edith.

I write to you, as a Victorian prison officer who reads every issue of About Time. It really helps me to see things through the prisoner's eyes. Although I am empathic, reading this publication enlightens me and increases my understanding of the issues prisoners face. Taking the time to read each issue and consider the content (with an open mind) makes me a better officer; and I sincerely hope that the perspective I gain comes across to all the guys in our care. Keep up the great work!
To Denham Sadler,
I liked what you wrote in the December edition.
Hello, I write to congratulate you on your informative/entertaining magazine and I was sorry when the Justice Action magazine folded up years ago because I was a regular contributor and great fan of their publication. Now you are here to fill a much needed gap in prison life. Can you please place me on your mailing list and I look forward to receiving further editions.
G'day, My name is Dane. Firstly, great job on the paper. I look forward to it every month and expect I'm not the only Aussie inmate who is appreciative of the effort that goes into producing such a thing and at no cost to the incarcerated. Keep up the good work.
I was lucky enough to stumble across your writing submission page. I have enclosed a "lived experience" poem for pure humour purpose and hope you enjoy and share it with the prison population :)
I am writing today to thank you for all the hard work involved in putting together and 'getting out' the National Prison Newspaper that I received for the first time here in Queensland.
There are some fantastic poems in issue six that have inspired me to knock one up to send off next month. Keep up the good work!
Hello, firstly I must congratulate you for your latest publication and I must tell you that many people including officers read and enjoy it, so keep it up.
Thanks again for another great issue (no. 11). "Lizard Brain" by Annalise De Groot (page 10) was fantastic.
Hello Editors,
Once again, I offer congratulations for your May edition.
As always, thanks for your continued valuable publishing and I look forward to your next edition.
Thank you all very much for the outstanding work and effort. The paper is a much needed blessing for all of us.
This paper is getting better with every edition. On behalf of prisoners everywhere, thank you.
Dear About Time,
Firstly, I love you newspaper.
Dear About Time,
Thank you for your amazing publication. I know myself and some of the other men here really look forward to each issue. The content is excellent and it creates that much needed connection between prisoners across the country. I find myself reading over and over each issue and always finding some new detail to appreciate. I'm not sure exactly how but, I would love to support the About Time Publication in any way I can.
I'm currently engaged in distance education via Curtin University and I'm studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences. I'm employed as the G.E.O Peer Educator here. Where possible, I try to be an active and positive member of the community wherever I'm placed throughout the Victorian Corrections system. I believe it's absolutely critical to both create and support pro-social initiatives in this environment to keep prisoners engaged in meaningful, rewarding and positive ways.
My earliest release date is mid 2028 so I have plenty of time remaining to continue working on myself and supporting other prisoners where possible to change the direction of their lives for the better. Thank you for taking the time to read my note.
I have included a poem for submission.
Thank you for doing the work you do guys.
I wrote to you a couple of months ago and you published my article in your newspaper. Thank you, as some other inmates here were touched by it because I got the officers to photocopy it on four papers and I stuck one on each noticeboard in the units and one on each window and everybody read it. Some prisoners praised me and said “good on ya”. I’d like you to consider publishing a new thing I wrote about recidivism.
I'm very grateful and proud to be a part of this great thing you and Rosie are doing, truly.
Thanks for listening and I really appreciate what yous do for us crims locked up do time around Australia. Also I really hope yous publish my letter and drawing I did for yous paper.
Honestly thank you everyone that puts in there hard time in making the newspaper what it is I truly enjoy reading it every time.
Thank’s for your time and effort, it’s appreciated a lot.
Thank you for your wonderful newspaper. It brings happiness to so many prisoners like me who made an error in judgement and wish this nightmare was over.
Thank you for this newspaper, it makes me feel less lonely, more comforted and I have hope for my future.
To the awesome newspaper for all prisons – About Time,
Thank you for your newspaper. The women love reading it here.
Keep up this amazing paper, It’s a tremendous help to many. I think it’s amazing. Everyone should be issued one upon induction.
I'm a proud First National Gomeroi/Gamilaaray jinung from Country. I'm writing to say many THANX for your monthly editions. Really! So much appreciation, your papers have helped me through many tough times. Both strength and struggle.
Absolutely loving your work, as a criminal defence lawyer it's so refreshing to see people curious and caring about prisoners.
I saw your paper for the first time about six months ago and I read it every month – I'm hooked! I get a lot of information and ideas out of them. I love your paper and can't wait for the next issue. Thanks heaps for taking the time to read my letter.
Dear About Time, I love reading your paper. Keep up the good work.
With care and solidarity.
When I get out, I am going to use my skills as a songwriter/performer to start a business and entertain people. I will look forward to seeing future issues and reading about people's journeys through their hardship.
I will continue to read About Time and contribute, as I thoroughly enjoy reading people's stories and writing to others.
Thank you for reading and never stop smiling.
Already, by my enthusiasm, and seeing my article painted, interest in the paper is taking off. More believe they are able to be heard [read]. Slowly this will encourage others. To have their opinions in print is a boost to their value of self-respect.
Joseph and his team are beginning a remarkable journey towards quality communication assisting men to find their self-respect and worth as human beings!
This adds another step in the "ladder" to restorative justice in reality. A healing power. Wow!
Thank you so much for taking the effort to bringing us this publication and I hope to see many great issues to come.
Having been encouraged by your 11th edition prison newspaper, regarding a 'judicial review' process, I have learned and gained immeasurably, familiarising myself with processes otherwise unknown by the majority of inmates in the Victorian prison system.
Submitting writing to About Time made me feel valued, I can read about what other people go through. The response I got was validating and my poem got posted, it was really nice to feel appreciated and recognised. I love reading About Time, it makes me feel not so alone in prison and more informed too. Thank you for doing About Time.
Keep up the great work.
THANK YOU for About Time. Keep up the good work :)
Dear About Time, Thank you for the service you do in providing a voice for those inside and outside.
We’ll continue to read About Time with interest – Denham Sadler’s recent article was excellent, so congratulations to you and the team on the work you’re doing.
Love your mag it's something to look forward to every month!
I want to walk out of this place one day a better person and use this time as an experience, just a speed bump in my life. Thank you for the newsletter. There is a lot of helpful stuff in it.
Anyway, thanks for the great read every month I always look forward to it.
Thank you for the newspapers and taking the time to read my letter.
Great work with the paper keep it up… Since reading your paper I realise other prisons go through the same issue. It's not fair or humane.

Thank you for what you do for Australian prisoners and their families.
Kind regards, and thanks for your work.
I can tell you that the papers are very popular and are often requested from prisoners, and I have received positive feedback.
I am glad you made the newspaper because, as the name says, it's about time! They should have had something like this for a long, long time. Years ago, I read one in the slot that was from the A.C.T., they have it so different I was amazed. I did actually write to them but they never gave me a reply. Sorry I didn't write when I first sent poems, but I didn't know what to say. It can get so boring that any form of entertainment is good. Plus, it's exciting when it is new. I have a friend who was deported back to Malaysia not long ago and I was telling her all about it as she just missed it. I wish you had been around a lot longer.
Take care and thanks for the paper as it is About Time, true! I wish you all the success in the world and will always look forward to seeing them every month.

Thanks again for the great content in the March 2025 issue.
Thanks for reading.
Most important newspaper/media going – thank you for all that you do.
Love reading everyone’s submissions and thank you for the last publication.
G'day guys! Love the paper!
Firstly thank you for such a composition of art, education, therapy, information, communication... FREEDOM!

I've been reading your newspapers for a while now, all the way back to Issue 1, and I suppose, like some people, I had my doubts about the longevity as I've seen many things that can be informative and beneficial to us all just fade into nothing in a short period of time. So far, so good, and I do enjoy reading peoples' letters with meaningful dialogue, so I hope and pray that, through all our interests and contributions, you're in it for the long haul. Sincerely and with thanks for all that you're doing for all and sundry.
Thank you, keep up good work.
Hey guys, I love getting the chance to read about other prisoners all around the country each month and thought I would share my story.
Reading about other experiences gives consistency to my own experiences, literally felt like they described my very own time/experiences.
I just received a copy of issue 15 and once again I have a near overwhelming feeling of enthusiasm. Thank you.
Thank you for letting me share <3
Thank you for another month of your National prison paper. When I see my name as a winner of the Caption Competition I was wrapped. Thank you…

Firstly, thank you for all your effort. We love your newspaper, Its good to find out what’s going on at other prisons all over Australia plus it’s always full of helpful information that can help us along our journey plus help us reintegrate back into the community.
To the anonymous writer of ‘Embracing the Next Chapter’, from the August edition of About Time.
I’ve read a lot of articles in About Time this past year but your article about embracing the next chapter really meant something to me. Your words were real and meaningful.
I just wanted you to know that they had an effect on someone, that you reached someone, that you made a real difference to someone. I am also doing a long stint and have been struggling with the “I didn’t think I was going to have much of a future once released from prison”, the judgment and the criticism I have received.
I can just imagine what it would be like when I’m released but your words really made me believe I am worth something and I am in charge of my own destiny, so thank you for giving me that hope that I didn’t have before.
I love the About Time paper and what it does for the world.

Hello Denham,
I offer congratulations for your June edition and your article about prison Dentists was very familiar. So much so that I thought I might compose a little history of my own dental nightmares.
Thanks again for your continued publication. Keep up the good work.
I am a first time reader and as the title says yes it’s about time that a news letter/paper has been published congrats on that. I am hoping to become a regular contributor to your paper.
What a beautiful space you've created!
As a former social worker, I’m 74, by the way, I did my early years in adult probation and parole. Many visits to Pentridge. Worked at Turana youth justice centre before doing social work. I think this idea is beyond brilliant. It ticks so many boxes.

I like reading this paper and what people have to say.
Firstly, thank you for all you do in preparing and producing About Time.
About Time has renewed my belief and hope that honesty matters, that other quality people care about honesty and justice, that incarcerated people choose to make amends and that others care - our source of healing and change.
My personal gratitude to Joseph Friedman, Rosie staff, financial supporters, subscribers and the courageous contributors.
Congratulations - I just heard about the newspaper via the 7am podcast. Fantastic. I used to work at Fremantle Prison a long time ago and we were always trying to find good ways to improve the lives of the prisoners. A newspaper would have been great. I hope that prisoners in WA can access the newspaper...I'm not sure they can.