Australia's National Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 13
AUGUST 2025

Letters

About Time dedicates many of its pages to publishing the letters of people in prison, as well as from their family and friends.

This is the centrepiece of the paper: a platform for people to share their experiences and learn from each other.

Latest
Hope and Solidarity – a Freakin' Buzz!
Hope and Solidarity – a Freakin' Buzz!
Hope and Solidarity – a Freakin' Buzz!
Subheading
Subheading
By Joe
By Joe

I write to extend feedback – re: your monthly paper. I must say that it was with more than the usual measuring spoon of interest that most here @ MRC welcomed its arrival.

ISSUE NO. 3
5 MIN READ
Markus Spiske
My Time in Here Will Not Define Me
My Time in Here Will Not Define Me
My Time in Here Will Not Define Me
Subheading
Subheading
By Storm
By Storm

12 months into being remanded in custody. I’m still yet to be sentenced – hence I can’t see the end at all.

ISSUE NO. 3
3 MIN READ
'Forest Sky' by Mimo, $160, #5733, 60cm x 98cm, acrylic on canvas, available to purchase at https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/boom-gate-gallery
Real Ones Don't Forget
Anonymous

There is a line so many of us here have heard over and over again from inmates going home: “I’ll write to you and put my number on when I get out.” And you never hear from them again.

ISSUE NO. 13
2 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
Silence Isn’t Golden
By Garth

In prison, silence isn’t always golden. It’s just another form of the unknown, another form of loss of control, another avenue for the negative thoughts to take.

ISSUE NO. 13
2 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
By Edward

So I have been doing what I have always loved doing – art and cooking. Sharing with inmates what I can make even with the simplest of ingredients. Sometimes that’s all it takes. The simple things in life mean so much more.

ISSUE NO. 13
2 MIN READ
By Shea

I daresay that for most people in this day and age, physical letters have become quite the antiquated method of communication. I know that prior to my own incarceration, it was definitely true of myself.

ISSUE NO. 13
2 MIN READ
By Aidan

I am Aidan. I am 30, and this is my 12th time on remand since 2019.

ISSUE NO. 13
1 MIN READ
By Delphine

My name is Delphine. I’m a proud Aboriginal woman. I heard about About Time from a friend I’ve known for a very long time. I just want to share my story about how I was saved by faith.

ISSUE NO. 13
3 MIN READ
By Danielle

Here is some feedback for About Time – it’s absolutely positive! From my first introduction to issue 2 or 3 (at BNCC) I looked forward to the next edition. Arriving at NCC I followed up with an officer who ensured copies were available to us.

ISSUE NO. 13
2 MIN READ
By Les

I want to write to you regarding seized stamps and envelopes. At times, if we happen to be sick and taken to hospital, everything of ours is put into boxes and taken away until the time we return. Then on our return we are strip searched and our possessions are taken out and checked.

ISSUE NO. 13
2 MIN READ
By Matthew

My best jail advice is: don’t get involved in the jail politics or in other people’s business, show respect to get respect and do your own jail.

ISSUE NO. 13
4 MIN READ
By Belly

It’s Friday the 13th. I am already in prison so probs won’t fall under the bad luck banner. Lolz.

ISSUE NO. 13
1 MIN READ
Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Feedback to About Time

By Garth

Thanks for the paper – it’s something a lot of us look forward to.

1 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Sparkling Sober

By Paige

Being sober feels like getting high used to.

1 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Chasing the Wind

By Kelly

This is one of my many thoughts on all the moments in life I may have taken for granted – of memories of my younger years. And here’s to us all making new memories, whether in our youth or mature years.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Cost of Living Crisis in Prison

Anonymous

I won’t even mention how expensive basic vegetables have gotten for us for the risk of sending somebody into shock.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Prison Visitor Restrictions in NSW

By Micky

The issue I wish to discuss with everyone is something I’m dealing with personally myself right now and I know for a fact I’m not the only one!

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Breaking the Cycle

By Vishal

It gets disheartening but I am determined to break free of this system.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Nowhere to Live

By Tony

If I get to the end of my sentence (another 13 months), then I will be dropped into a motel for three days, then after that, I’m on my own. It doesn’t seem fair.

1 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

Lit a Light of Hope

By Zayne

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.

1 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

Determined to Make a Difference

By Yvonne

I was determined to strive for something different. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to be honest, open-minded and willing today.

5 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

Second Chance

By Lee

In March 2024, I completed a program called Mates for Inmates. It was a program where we had dogs that came in from the Lord Smith’s Dog Home that needed to be retrained so they could be rehomed to those looking to adopt a dog so they can eventually find their forever home.

2 MIN READ
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