ISSUE NO. 23
JUNE 2026

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

Keeping My Head Out of Trouble

By Stellios

I just keep my head out of trouble and out of politics, lol. I find the time goes very quickly when I keep a great routine going for myself.

ISSUE NO. 23
1 MIN READ
Andrey Novik via Unsplash

Sending Love to My Son

By Anonymous

As a devoted mother having to accept the fact that my son was going to prison was soul destroying.

ISSUE NO. 23
1 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
By Anonymous

This letter is to remind you all that, as Sistas, we need to be there for one another to raise women up.

ISSUE NO. 23
2 MIN READ
By Nikita

It’s daunting enough when you get arrested by police, then placed into custody and thrown into a cell. Then you have to go through a degrading strip search.

ISSUE NO. 23
1 MIN READ
By Andrew

I’ve spent most of my adult life behind bars, and I’m not proud to say it. It’s been such a bloody waste.

ISSUE NO. 23
3 MIN READ
By Dane

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in prison can relate to the concept of prison rituals and routines.

ISSUE NO. 23
3 MIN READ
By Gabrielle

We have limited options regarding studying whilst incarcerated. I am midway through an arts degree, however, once I am released, I am re-routing towards politics/law.

ISSUE NO. 23
1 MIN READ
By Luke

I recently have been put in the medium precinct, and I had put a request form asking what the costs were to order the Examiner newspaper.

ISSUE NO. 23
1 MIN READ
By Kane

My first time in jail was a shock to the system. I have learned quickly that routine is key. Getting your exercise, diet, mental health, maintaining social encounters; it truly helps.

ISSUE NO. 23
1 MIN READ

Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

Let Them Go Home

By Ed

Well, I’m writing this letter in relation to the housing crisis, which is a problem for many inmates trying to find a place to live.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

‘You Got This, Aye!’

By Belly

I have a short poem as well as a mindfulness technique called “Distress Tolerance”.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

I Am Not My Crime

By Brendan

I encourage everyone who is incarcerated not to identify with your crime. Rather, identify with something higher, wider and greater than that.

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

Time Stands Still for No Man

By Andrew

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 16
November 2025

Drawing My Way Out of Prison

By Edward

I was always drawing as a kid, and when the opportunity came up to do an art course at age 17 I went for it.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 16
November 2025

How Metal and Punk Music Saved My Life

By Aidan

I remember our living room used to be filled with hundreds of CDs. My mum is where my love of music came from.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 16
November 2025

Gratefulness and Grit

By Daniel

You can have as many support workers and parole officers as you can get, but it will never make you stop doing crimes. It has to come from within yourself.

3 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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Without About Time, I don’t know where I would be – Mark, from a prison in Victoria

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