Ten Minutes of Hope: Why Prison Phone Calls Matter
Inside prison, days can feel endless and sometimes the only thing that keeps you going is the thought you might get to hear the voice of someone you love.
This section publishes stories about individuals’ experiences with the criminal justice system.
There are so many ways that people have interacted with the system, and so many stories to tell.
Experiences aims to tell those stories, presented as beautiful feature articles.

Inside prison, days can feel endless and sometimes the only thing that keeps you going is the thought you might get to hear the voice of someone you love.
Being kind is something I find really challenging at times.
It’s 7:45 AM. That annoying intercom announces 10 minutes to unlock count.
To the mothers navigating the justice system, whether behind prison walls or holding it down on the outside while someone you love is locked away, we see you.

I know that it can sometimes feel like society has forgotten about people in prison, but there are political parties that are supportive of changing things in prison.

Elections never bring anything good for people engaged in the system.

The thought of spending any time in close contact with Jonny sets my heart racing – and not in a good way.

Each court attendance made me feel sick to my stomach with nervousness as rich strangers decided my husband’s fate – and our future.

Education is not regarded as the most significant risk factor for reoffending but there is an undeniable link between a lack of education and crime.

I needed closure to help me live a normal life, but it was not forthcoming. I was reaching out for closure but it never came.

The inevitable monotony of another day decays your precious time, alongside your brain cells as you get trapped listening to those who surround you once again.

It was the sweltering Sydney summer of '79 and AC/DC was the most potent new rock band on earth.

It was me that created the change, I did it all!! Not prison: prison hurt me, prison did not offer healing or reform my behaviour. Prison deployed its violence onto me that I am still working through today.


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