ISSUE NO. 21
April 2026
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Letters

Autism and Mental Illness: Prison Isn’t the Right Place

By
Garry

Garry writes from a prison in TAS.

Ye Jinghan via Unsplash

To About Time,

Hey guys, great newspaper. Absolutely love it.

I would just like to mention a few things I’ve noticed around prison regarding inmates with both autistic and mental illness traits. Who says these inmates are right to go to prison and not a hospital?

It seems to me prison staff also need training regarding mental health and inmates with autism like myself. Just seems a little unfair to lock someone up who doesn’t see the world same as a “normal” person would.

Furthermore, it isn’t fair to prison staff who have to deal with these unusual behaviours. Autistic, Aspergers – anyone who is on the “spectrum” should undergo some sort of different situation rather than mainstream prison.

Regards,

Garry

To About Time,

Hey guys, great newspaper. Absolutely love it.

I would just like to mention a few things I’ve noticed around prison regarding inmates with both autistic and mental illness traits. Who says these inmates are right to go to prison and not a hospital?

It seems to me prison staff also need training regarding mental health and inmates with autism like myself. Just seems a little unfair to lock someone up who doesn’t see the world same as a “normal” person would.

Furthermore, it isn’t fair to prison staff who have to deal with these unusual behaviours. Autistic, Aspergers – anyone who is on the “spectrum” should undergo some sort of different situation rather than mainstream prison.

Regards,

Garry

Sistas, Support Each Other!

By Anonymous

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

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

Strip Searches

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.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

1 MIN READ

If It’s Broken, Then Fix It

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.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 MIN READ

Routine is Good, Not Bad

By Dane

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

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

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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