Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 17
December 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
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.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
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.

ISSUE NO. 17
1 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
By Russell

Hi, I just want to send congratulations on your first issue reaching my prison.

ISSUE NO. 17
1 MIN READ
By Belly

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

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
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.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
By Adrielle

I am writing to you about my one and only older sister, Alithea. RIP. It’s been 2 months since I lost you.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
By Timmy

In New South Wales, there were previously three levels of protective custody for vulnerable inmates, such as myself, who have autism spectrum disorder and other mental health issues.

ISSUE NO. 17
1 MIN RED
By Tricia

Hello to everyone in Australia. My name is Tricia. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am serving a life sentence, and, for those of you who don’t know, a life sentence in Pennsylvania means your entire life.

ISSUE NO. 17
3 MIN READ
By Trevor

GROW is a community-based national organisation that works on mental wellbeing using a 12-step program of personal growth, mutual help and support. It operates through weekly peer support groups.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
Previous Editions
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

A Letter From the U.S.A!

By Jean

My name is Jean. I am a wiry spitfire, 65 years young, and incarcerated for the past 24 years with a L.W.O.P. (Life Without Parole) sentence.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

We Can Do Better on Health Management

By Alexander

Prison doesn't easily allow outside support to provide the love and care many inmates require, let alone access professional support.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

To Women Behind These Concrete Walls

By D

We have a voice, but through the system, our voices are muted. We are mothers, sisters, daughters, and even grandmothers.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

The Secret to Living is Giving

By Konrad

Our external world has so many options and choices, to have, do and be, we even have greater control of this world, more than we have ever had before, yet we are still suffering.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

Sustainable Gardening

By George

I am the volunteer garden billet and some of my responsibilities are garden plot allocation and seed distribution.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

The Benefits of Gardening

By Alex

Dad would always say “there’s something about toiling in the garden, getting your hands in soil, it earths me out.”

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

Lack of Housing for Inmates Seeking Parole

By Patrick

The lack of housing is creating a backlog for inmates who otherwise would be eligible for parole.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

Pay Not Adding Up

By Kerrin

With even the prison staff in industries agreeing that our pay rates are ridiculous, how do things stay the same?

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

About Time for a Pen Pal Program

By Rachel

Wow, I won the caption comp for December… I’ve never won anything and the whole jail is congratulating me.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

Learning My Lesson

By Wendy

I'll never come back to this place, but I’ll always respect the time that I’ve spent in here, and I understand now how and why people return to this place.

4 MIN READ
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