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. 11

June 2025

Time Will Still Pass

By Matthew

‘They can lock the locks, but they can’t stop the clock!’

1 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

Unable to See!

By Jeffrey

A problem I have come across here at Woodford is that the only reading glasses you can get (if you are poor and not eligible for free prescription glasses) are #16 and are only 2.0 magnification!

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

My Legal Representation

By Wayne

Luckily, in the week leading up to sentencing, I made contact with whom I now call the “Gods of Criminal Defence”.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

No ‘Suitable’ Housing For Parole

By Zachary

I’m eligible for release mid-July if I can find a suitable address, and I’ve applied for a Crest public boarding house address, but they’ve advised me of a minimum 12-month wait time.

3 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

Unable to Complete Programs for Parole

Anonymous

At this point, we struggle to even be released on our parole date while being a model prisoner, which I feel is our right.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

A Letter of Encouragement

By Stenzy

Brothers, seriously, when you look at how much worse off other people in the world have it and you truly understand there really is no rock bottom, then you start to see there are no limits to how good our life could be (and out of anyone we deserve it!).

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

Gate Fever

By Axel

Nobody understood that what I did then is not who I am now.

4 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 11

June 2025

Interrupted Connections

By Lanie

For the past year or so, it’s been getting harder for mail to get through. I’ve been here for nine years and I’ve never had a problem with mail.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 10

May 2025

The Bear on My Back

By Kelly

I may look scary but I'm cuddly and feminine generally at most times.

1 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 10

May 2025

Keep Fighting! Messages From a ‘Lifer’ in America

By Terri

Fight until there is no time left on the clock!

3 MIN READ
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