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. 14
September 2025

Special Moments Do Happen in Prison

By Samantha

Special moments do happen in prison. It was the moment of my life, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

Friday the 13th

By Belly

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

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

Matthew’s Advice

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.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

Return of the Stamps

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

Advice for When You’re Released

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

Saved by Faith

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.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

The Importance of Letter Writing

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

The Simple Things in Life

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

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.

2 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

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.

Australia’s prison population is growing, and our many prisons are spread far and wide.

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We need your help to cover postage for anyone who sends us a letter from the inside.

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