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. 6

December 2024

Bukks' Musings

By Bukks

I spent about 13 years at the maximum-security Port Phillip Prison but am now at a medium security, Loddon. I have been here for almost two years now and since coming here have gotten into poetry.

4 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

Basic Things From the Buy-Up

By Jeffrey

During a long stay of about 6 months in prison, I came across a few fellow inmates who needed help with sorting their pile(s) of mixed documents which were kept in one or two used envelopes.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

The Cost of Living

By Rocket

As you can see there is not much cash to spend. So there is always someone worse off than you.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

A View From the Inside

By Donna

I thought I could enlighten you on how this prison's day to day works.

3 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

Watching Repco Supercars

By Stephen

I will write to you and try to fill you guys in with what's happening in QLD prisons, especially Wolston.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

Peace on the Inside

By Ronin

The thing is, I love prison. I love it so much that I seem to be constantly on a reckless path when I'm out to either die, or come back to prison.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

Take Control and Get Your Life Back

By Johnny

Ever since I made the change, I really started to see others and how their lack of control led themselves to their own demise, without even the slightest bit of realisation.

3 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 5

November 2024

A Thank You From the Outside

By Ruby

My name is Ruby. I am a subscriber of About Time on the south coast of NSW. I do not have any lived experience of incarceration, nor do I personally know anyone who has.

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 5

November 2024

Need for Day to Day Healthcare Support

By Alexander

Prison is difficult enough when one is fit and healthy, it is almost impossible to get through when one is very unwell. I don't want inmates to experience unnecessary pain and discomfort as I did.

3 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 5

November 2024

Fundraising From the Inside

Written on behalf of classmates at South Coast CC Intensive Learning Centre.

I thought I could write in to you so it can get posted in the newspaper and with any luck get some boys in any centre to push for a fundraiser for a local charity near them. It’s a great cause and everyone benefits from it.

2 MIN READ
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Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

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