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

Staying Strong

By Mel

My name is Mel. In July, my partner overdosed while I was locked up in Tasmania. The staff there were amazing.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

A Charity Fund From Inside: Even $1 Each Would Make a Difference

By Jonathon

This letter isn’t about myself or my time in prison, but I have spent a fair few years here, and this why I wanted to propose potentially a system where once a week or once a month it is an option, for those who want to or are able to, to donate to a charity from money from our inmate accounts.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

‘I Continue to Laugh in the Face of Adversity’: Newtown’s ‘Dreamer’ Muralist on PTSD and Prison

By Andrew

'Nuff Respect, Kudos, and Vast Appreciation on your Magnificent, Pertinent and Poignant Periodical that just keeps getting better. WORD UP!!!

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

3 MIN READ

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About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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