ISSUE NO. 19
February 2026
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Letters

G’day From Long Bay

By
Andy

Andy writes from a prison in NSW.

Mathilde Langevin via Unsplash

G’day,

Thanks for providing About Time and explaining things – it’s helpful for understanding life behind bars and other things. It sometimes seems that life has become so complicated with government making so many new laws that you almost need a team of lawyers to consult to check what you think, say and do is not against the law every morning, and that it won’t be used against you by someone.

Just before I was jailed, I read a report in a newspaper about the dangers of Aspartame. They say sugar can be used to brew alcohol in jail so by providing Aspartame (also called Splendour and other names) they stop it – but it’s not good for our gut bacteria! They feed us a lot of chemicals and processed food in here.

Another thing to know about prison is that some beds are so short in jail that tall people have to sleep in the foetal position or bump their heads two feet at night.

In Issue 12, Kelly mentioned a man called Paul who spent some of his life in custody and said he found that whatever state he found himself in, he would be content. I found some comfort in this, but I do miss the dogs a lot.

Bye from LBJ

G’day,

Thanks for providing About Time and explaining things – it’s helpful for understanding life behind bars and other things. It sometimes seems that life has become so complicated with government making so many new laws that you almost need a team of lawyers to consult to check what you think, say and do is not against the law every morning, and that it won’t be used against you by someone.

Just before I was jailed, I read a report in a newspaper about the dangers of Aspartame. They say sugar can be used to brew alcohol in jail so by providing Aspartame (also called Splendour and other names) they stop it – but it’s not good for our gut bacteria! They feed us a lot of chemicals and processed food in here.

Another thing to know about prison is that some beds are so short in jail that tall people have to sleep in the foetal position or bump their heads two feet at night.

In Issue 12, Kelly mentioned a man called Paul who spent some of his life in custody and said he found that whatever state he found himself in, he would be content. I found some comfort in this, but I do miss the dogs a lot.

Bye from LBJ

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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