Every day we receive letters from people in prison. Many share the impact of About Time on their lives. Readers have told us that they feel as if they have a voice for the very first time. Some talk about how the paper has helped them connect to others and lessen isolation. Many talk about the educative benefit of the paper, while others praise the newfound hope and sense of self-worth they feel reading a publication just for them. Here are all of their words.
I would love to hear back from you guys. Please let me know what you think. I have much more writing I can send in, and if you have any advice on how I can build and develop a career as a writer and also how I can improve my writing, it would be greatly appreciated.
The June addition has arrived and has been distributed. The ladies were all reading it and some are now contacting Women’s Advocacy Service from the article, just some recognition of what your paper does to get the word out about amazing new services. Thank you.
They have been distributed and the residents were very appreciative.
Kind regards, and thanks for your work.
Just want to thank you for all the effort you all put into getting a national prison newspaper to everyone inside. I've been to many locations in Vic and see many inmates enjoying the content so thank you for all the hard work (we appreciate you all).
I have been in prison for over 13 years and I want to say that your newspaper is an amazing opportunity for all who have put the time in and it has been very well received throughout the Victorian Prison System.
To Denham Sadler,
I liked what you wrote in the December edition.
Thank you for the gift of your newspaper. A simple idea to spread a good word or thought via written media to the Australian prison population – and beyond – makes more of a difference to us, than anyone who hasn't done prison time could ever know.
I can't tell you how glad I was to see this paper come into my unit, a sign that times can and always will change the way we live, especially in prison.
I'm a proud First National Gomeroi/Gamilaaray jinung from Country. I'm writing to say many THANX for your monthly editions. Really! So much appreciation, your papers have helped me through many tough times. Both strength and struggle.
Great to see how the publication is putting forward items of interest to inmates, such as the expansion of education in venues.
It's great to read other people's stories and articles. Also, I find excellent advice and experiences are much the same as my journey throughout prison, in and out.
Keep up the wonderful work you all do.
Thanks About Time! Thanks Rosie! Publishing my writing means so much to me and gives me hope I might use my writing to get me out of this life. Please write back with any advice or thoughts! Can't wait to see my writing in next month's edition!
Already, by my enthusiasm, and seeing my article painted, interest in the paper is taking off. More believe they are able to be heard [read]. Slowly this will encourage others. To have their opinions in print is a boost to their value of self-respect.
Joseph and his team are beginning a remarkable journey towards quality communication assisting men to find their self-respect and worth as human beings!
This adds another step in the "ladder" to restorative justice in reality. A healing power. Wow!
We’ll continue to read About Time with interest – Denham Sadler’s recent article was excellent, so congratulations to you and the team on the work you’re doing.
PS: If you receive mail from Belinda, please publish her entry. Seeing her achieve that would make me very happy. Thank you :)
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this submission.
I know it would mean a lot to my partner if he saw it in your paper. He reads it religiously. Inside and out.
Thanks again for another great issue (no. 11). "Lizard Brain" by Annalise De Groot (page 10) was fantastic.
I'll finish by saying I absolutely love the paper. Thanks to everyone involved.
Thanks for the great newspaper.
Thanks for publishing my article in Issue 14. Reading through it, I came across another article that got my attention: "The Dark Side of Gains" by Ronin Cruise. Anyway, great paper, keep it rolling.
The articles and stories you read in 'About Time' and other outlets change lives. They have the power to help people to make informed choices. And they can also inspire readers to think in different ways and try different things. Being a writer is exciting and rewarding. So, this article is for all those people who have tinkered with the idea of penning a story. This publication, like all publications, is always on the lookout for fresh talent.
Thank you About Time.
To everyone who writes in please keep it up and encourage others to submit letters, art, poetry etc as myself and I'm sure many others really do enjoy receiving About Time and reading all the fantastic letters, articles etc... To everyone at About Time, my fellow brothers and sisters and anyone else who reads the paper – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember to be kind to one another over the festive season.
Thanks for reading, I hope it made some sense, I love the About Time paper and what it does for the world.
Articles my cellie and I appreciated in Issue #5 (November 2024): H.E.A.L., Computer Access in Cells, Reintegration/Studying After Prison, How to Write Lifestyle Stories, How to Deal with Shame, Neck, shoulder and back relaxation, Book Club - although difficult to access multiple copies of book here, Creative, Mob/Future Dreaming, Play.
My husband got his copy of the August edition today and was very delighted. Thank you for the work you and Rosie do. We need more people like you.
I am glad you made the newspaper because, as the name says, it's about time! They should have had something like this for a long, long time. Years ago, I read one in the slot that was from the A.C.T., they have it so different I was amazed. I did actually write to them but they never gave me a reply. Sorry I didn't write when I first sent poems, but I didn't know what to say. It can get so boring that any form of entertainment is good. Plus, it's exciting when it is new. I have a friend who was deported back to Malaysia not long ago and I was telling her all about it as she just missed it. I wish you had been around a lot longer.
Take care and thanks for the paper as it is About Time, true! I wish you all the success in the world and will always look forward to seeing them every month.
Hello, firstly I must congratulate you for your latest publication and I must tell you that many people including officers read and enjoy it, so keep it up.
Some of my students enjoy writing, and I’d like to try and get them to write for About Time. Seeing other people in custodial settings writing articles might inspire them.
A quick thank you to About Time for the national paper. I really enjoy reading about the ins and outs of Australian jail life.
I would be pleased to maintain contact and further contribute. About Time is a valued publication in prison and a worthy pursuit.
Firstly, I would like to say how great it is to finally have a nationwide paper focused solely on prisoners and issues relating to prisoners as people, not just prisoners. I look forward to each edition and hope it is here to stay!
Since the very first edition was released in July 2024, About Time has been faithfully producing monthly editions. I know firsthand how widely it circulates: across prisons throughout the country, whether in printed form or through the iPads available to inmates. The response among prisoners, including myself, has been overwhelmingly positive. What makes About Time unique is that its content speaks directly to the lived experience of those of us on the inside. It offers practical information, but it is also deeply creative and artistic. The poems, stories, and artwork published give prisoners something that prison usually strips away-our voice. Here, identity is often reduced to our MIN number, our sense of personhood is eroded day by day. Yet when an inmate's words or artwork appear in About Time, that person is recognised again as fully human, capable of thought, creativity, and contribution. Equally important is the rehabilitative effect. Too often, boredom and frustration inside prison breed conflict, misconduct, and despair. About Time offers a powerful alternative: it channels energy into productive and meaningful work. Instead of wasting away or finding trouble, inmates can discover new skills, pursue creativity, and experience the pride of positive achievement. This not only improves mental health and prison culture in the short term, but also strengthens the likelihood of successful reintegration and reduces the risk of reoffending once inmates are released. Because of About Time, inmates are enabled to see the possibility of real change. There is no other service in Australia that reaches us in this way.
Thank you for your time reading this. And thank you for giving me and the other blokes something good to read here.
Thank you for the paper copy of About Time. The November & December 2025 got through to me. I look forward to maybe receiving them now I'm back here. Your section on Christmas Greetings was well received by inmates. A wonderful addition to the December issue. Keep up your efforts. The paper is nourishing. I'm encouraging new men to share their stories. So much talent.
I have to say I am really digging the paper, it's a great read.
Thumbs up from everyone for the newspaper, it's amazing!
Firstly, let me say, only recently discovered your publication while flicking through the resources on my tablet but have now gone through and read all the back issues available.. it's fantastic and look forward to its release each month. Again, love your work, keep it up and keep on smiling.
I'm a big fan of your magazine/newspaper and I look forward to it each month. I enjoy reading things written by other inmates like myself across the country.
I recently discovered your publication while flicking through the resources on my tablet but have now gone through and read all the back issues available… it's fantastic and look forward to its release each month.
After multiple sentences and long stints in prison, I am in the process of understanding myself and the impacts of my behaviours. I am writing to About Time to share with others what I have learnt. I hope this is helpful to others in similar situations to me.
Amazing, thankyou for all your/the team hard work with the magazine.
Kind regards, and many thanks for your continuous work every month to deliver yet another great monthly edition of "About Time".
A big shout out to you guys for printing such a great newspaper. Personally I love and look forward to every issue.
Please keep up the great newspaper. I can tell you it's a light in our otherwise dark prison lives – especially those of us without much support and interaction from the outside.
[The papers] appear to be very popular.
I love this newspaper and enjoy reading it from front to back and back to front. I really enjoy looking at the artworks. You published one of my artworks, DEEP OCEAN, so thank you. I am very proud of that artwork. I taught myself to do art as I was severely bullied and abused, mentally, and physically, growing up and until this very day and I find it is good escape for my mental health. It helps me copy with all the bullshit and bullying that goes on in this place, that I've called home for the past 9 years. I have a minimum of 6 years left to go and then hopefully I can leave this place behind me. I'm not sure where I will restart my life once I'm out, but I guess I still have time to sort that out lol. Well that's all I wanted to say so thank you and keep up the wonderful work.
Principally 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 welcomed its arrival. Upon finding it in our respective mailboxes, it caused a stir. A tad like the discovery of gold in Ballarat: a freakin buzz!
Some leafed the pages; quietly absorbed by its content. Whilst some flocked together like a monochrome-green flamboyance of flamingos chortling approbation for the contents therein. A small, tidy group o Indigenous fellas loudly (and proudly!) celebrated the inclusion of the artwork of a dear friend of mine Chris at the top right corner of page 11. In short, conversation thrived! The overall reaction across the board: favourable!
Could it be I'm 'reading' too much into it, if you'll pardon the intended pun? Nay, say I. For the reason is simple. For most of us, About-Time rekindles the hearth flames of hope…. And solidarity.
Concurrently - albeit more tactfully - it served as a semi-tabloid sized platform some many choose to use as a way of expressing the beauty they've shielded within since time immemorial. This beauty, be it an artistic or linguistics, or even just humanistic, will finally sprout from the nutrient-poor soil of imprisonment like a tentative sapling (craving the warmth of yellow sunshine on its budding, little leaves).
A 'green' clothed sapling that can now reach toward the azure skies of better expression; ethical tolerance; and more meaningful connection with life and love.
As one of the two peer educators, I interact with dozens of inmates daily. Without reservations, I can say your paper has had a positive influence on all and sundry. And that's tickety-boo!! Quite soon, I imagine you'll be navigating a metaphorical diluvial flood of correspondence into all areas of expression you graciously invite feedback and/or input.
If you would be so kind as to grant me a little leeway in sending you an occasional short story, or a poem, or even an observational anecdote: then I'd be totes chuffed!
I am writing today to thank you for all the hard work involved in putting together and 'getting out' the National Prison Newspaper that I received for the first time here in Queensland.
Congratulations on the launch of About Time. I can only imagine how many obstacles you have navigated to successfully sail the product into Australia's prisons, and from where I sit it was very warmly received by the inmates, security and medical staff that I share time with. Well done, and thank you for delivering us something we didn't know we needed until we received it.
Thank you so much for the paper. It has been quite the eye opener for me, eight months into a two year sentence. Among the views expressed, many about their time, reflecting on boredom, lack of resources and so on, and I thought to add my older prisoner view simply because so many of your readers here at Wolston are older men, though I assume many of the same or similar issues happen to women as well.
I saw your paper for the first time about six months ago and I read it every month – I'm hooked! I get a lot of information and ideas out of them. I love your paper and can't wait for the next issue. Thanks heaps for taking the time to read my letter.
Thanks for the publication, it is very impressive.
I appreciate your time and I love your paper and its content.
Our hope and our voice lies at the hand of those who can make a difference and this is why I'm writing and trying to make a difference/change.
Thank you once again for your amazing publication. I know I speak for myself and many of the other men here at Middleton Correction Centre when I say that your publication is valued and appreciated and we look forward to its arrival each month. It certainly becomes a central discussion point in the yard in the days following its distribution here. Both myself and the other men within my accommodation lodge read over every addition repeated. Thank you for your incredible work in continuing to support, connect, and inform incarcerated men and women across the country.
Hello, firstly I must congratulate you for your latest publication and I must tell you that many people including officers read and enjoy, so keep it up.
First of all I would like to say what an awesome magazine – keep up the good work.
First of all I would like to say what an awesome magazine – keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for printing my 'always someone worse off than you' story in Issue N°4. I've been motivated to put together a rough draft for a guide to help new prisoners acclimatise to their new surroundings.
Thank you to all who created 'About Time' and for making it work. I am a deaf prisoner who is quite isolated within isolation. I miss out on small talks such as what other prisoners are really feeling to bigger things such as how to make a complaint against case notes. Deaf Services has been trying to fight to bring tablets in for deaf prisoners in Queensland and it's good to see that the government is slowly introducing tablets into some prisons and that tablets may be possible for deaf prisoners in the future. The newspaper is like a light at the end of a tunnel. Thank you.
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.
Thank you most kindly for your words about my latest article, 'When Your Mind Turns Against You: Understanding Depression in Prison.' It came straight from the heart.
Together we can effect positive change, and About Time is a blessed resource for doing just that. Your work is immensely meaningful.
I thank you again for everything, the newspaper, your letters and the time you take reading mine. You have been an inspirational part of my journey and have helped contribute to my focus of change for a better and successful future and pursuit of living up to my true potential and ultimately striving to live my best possible life. Thank you.
Firstly, I thank you and your personnel for the production of About Time. I find it most informative and enlightening.
PS. and a big thank you to Australia's National Prison Newspaper and everyone that has published something – onya!
Hi, I just want to send congratulations on your first issue reaching my prison. I may be a rare beast, a prisoner who is enjoying his time in prison. This is due to my work as editor of our prison quarterly newsletter and running computer-aided design (CAD) workshops for prisoners.
Greetings to you all! My name is Johnny and I am currently locked up in NSW. Reading all the letters sent by everyone over the past four issues of 'About Time' has been such an eye-opener for me. I've found myself looking forward to the next issue to see and learn from other peoples' experiences that they so bravely share with us! Reading everyone's personal experiences and advice has affected me in such a positive way that I finally decided to put pen to paper and share some of my own experiences over the past three years and the changes I have made that may change your life, as they did mine.
Congratulations on your 12th issue. One year seems so fast when you look back on it. I look forward to each and every issue, thanks again.
I gave paper copies of AT out to inmates with tablets today, and got a round of applause for it. One guy said it’s the best thing anyone has done for them, so yes please, keep them coming. I will promote it internally. Inmates said it was like being reconnected with the world again.
I just received a copy of issue 15 and once again I have a near overwhelming feeling of enthusiasm. Thank you.
Thank you so much for taking the effort to bringing us this publication and I hope to see many great issues to come.
Hello, I write to congratulate you on your informative/entertaining magazine and I was sorry when the Justice Action magazine folded up years ago because I was a regular contributor and great fan of their publication. Now you are here to fill a much needed gap in prison life. Can you please place me on your mailing list and I look forward to receiving further editions.
The paper enables folks to survive on the inside and then reimagine life beyond it.
Dear About Time thanks for your tireless efforts in making a little brightness in an otherwise dull place. I especially would like to thank you for your reply paid letters between calls and munchies.
Thank you and congratulations on the publication of the national prisoner's newspaper, "About Time".
Your initiative is offering many the "therapy" necessary to earn back self-respect and enabling them to choose to find a purpose for good, while they make their amends during their incarceration.
They say: "The pen is mightier than the sword". To see their contributions in print will be the first time for some that they have been "heard" and may enable them with respect to transform their lives - to honestly rehabilitate.
The paper is well-read and discussed. The smiles on faces knowing some of the contributors is encouraging.
Hey mate, I received your letter the other day & I appreciate your reply on my story "Time Stands Still For No Man." Today we all got a copy of Issue 17 of About Time & to see that you put my story on the 2nd page made me smile. All the lads were quick to yell out & say "Is that you Leb." I was like yes boys, they were all moved by my story so I guess it done the job it was meant to do.
Firstly, thank you for the newspaper, I look forward to every new issue! It's an amazing opportunity to read everyones thoughts, feelings and experiences, as well as educate ourselves around the system and available resources and it provides me with a strong sense of connection.
This paper deserves all the support it can get. A way for prisoners to express their honest stories and gifts. A real way to heal and rehabilitate encouraging others to do the same.
I can tell you that the papers are very popular and are often requested from prisoners, and I have received positive feedback.
Dear 'Bout Time Crews!!! 'Nuff Respect, Kudos, and Vast Appreciation on your Magnificent, Pertinent and Poignant Periodical that just keeps getting better. WORD UP!!!
Included is a poem written by Michael and my honest response of encouragement. May it offer hope to anyone who challenges themselves to choose to heal toward being a quality human. There are so many men wanting to transform. There are many who hear their pain. There are too few who truly listen. About Time gives all a voice to proclaim their sorrow and continue their amends. This challenges all to honestly listen with compassion and care. Thanks to you and your professionalism for making transformation possible.
I was very excited to see the writing competition article in the latest edition. Included is my submission. This story is a reflection of where I feel many people are in prison as well as a life constantly full of gambling where to be truly happy we just need to stop, breathe, be silent (sometimes). I took back on my own happy place (nature), even if its nowhere near good enough to be included in the newspaper, just having the chance to be creative is fantastic! So thank you.
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