ISSUE NO. 20
March 2026
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Letters

‘Don’t Be A Statistic’: A Message To Those Getting Out Soon

By
Vanessa

Vanessa writes from a prison in QLD.

Willy Pleasance

To About Time,

My name is Vanessa, I’m 27 and incarcerated at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

It’s my first time in jail and unfortunately the start to the vicious failed justice system cycle. It’s just unfortunate that some of the most respectful down to earth people are sitting here in jail.

Some of the best people that make some silly mistakes because of drugs that aren’t even what they used to be like.

So I guess my message is to those getting out soon. Remember the people that offer you drugs when you get out, they are not your friends. You are better than that.

Don’t be a statistic, be that person your kids need you to be.

Teach them to learn from your mistakes not to follow them. Be role models and don’t let the system trap you. We are all better than that.

To About Time,

My name is Vanessa, I’m 27 and incarcerated at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

It’s my first time in jail and unfortunately the start to the vicious failed justice system cycle. It’s just unfortunate that some of the most respectful down to earth people are sitting here in jail.

Some of the best people that make some silly mistakes because of drugs that aren’t even what they used to be like.

So I guess my message is to those getting out soon. Remember the people that offer you drugs when you get out, they are not your friends. You are better than that.

Don’t be a statistic, be that person your kids need you to be.

Teach them to learn from your mistakes not to follow them. Be role models and don’t let the system trap you. We are all better than that.

Lessons from Bees

By Muhamed

Prison teaches people to hold back. To keep to themselves. To give as little as possible. To protect what little energy or hope they have left. When everything feels limited – time, freedom, trust – it makes sense to think that giving more will leave you with less. But the bee lives by a different rule.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Albany Prisoners on Lockdowns

By Prisoners at Albany Prison, WA

We are not sure who to write to or who we can talk to about theses matters. We are hoping someone reads our letter and can point us in the right direction to have our voices heard.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

1 MIN READ

Rights for Foreign Prisoners

By Luiing

If foreign prisoners have been sentenced under same law as Australians, then it’s extremely important that they have right to be treat equally in their imprisonment – on humanitarian grounds.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Not Cool: Heat and Overcrowding in TMCC

By Dane

The following is in response to the article by Denham Sadler titled “Sweltering Behind Bars: Stifling Heat in Australian prisons”.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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