ISSUE NO. 21
April 2026
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Letters

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

By
Andrew

Andrew writes from a prison in QLD.

Willy Pleasance

Dear ‘Bout Time Crew!!!

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

My name is Andrew. Home and away on steroids story, but I continue to laugh in the face of adversity and am only getting stronger and more determined to continue in my life of service to others... Your paper certainly helps a lot!!! I especially wish to thank Carollyne Youssef for the 'Finding Yourself Again' article. So powerful!

Interestingly, I had one call-up for psych services who agreed with my self diagnosis as a counsellor of many years as a PTSD case. I shop fronted to see them again over 6 weeks ago but they must be too busy. I have not seen a counsellor apart from in reception, over 14 weeks ago. I am not the only mental health casualty here, but at least we have each other in the camaraderie you described recently.

I don’t have to preach to the choir to you about lacks in the system in these regards. I did 8 years in the U.K. and I’d rather be here if I had to do time I think... Love your work! KEEP IT UP!

P.S. I have been studying Aboriginal traditional law – some concepts admirably summed up in Tyson Yunkaporta’s magnificent 'Sand Talk: 'How Indigenous Thinking Can Change the World'. Highly recommended.

PEACE – Andrew

Dear ‘Bout Time Crew!!!

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

My name is Andrew. Home and away on steroids story, but I continue to laugh in the face of adversity and am only getting stronger and more determined to continue in my life of service to others... Your paper certainly helps a lot!!! I especially wish to thank Carollyne Youssef for the 'Finding Yourself Again' article. So powerful!

Interestingly, I had one call-up for psych services who agreed with my self diagnosis as a counsellor of many years as a PTSD case. I shop fronted to see them again over 6 weeks ago but they must be too busy. I have not seen a counsellor apart from in reception, over 14 weeks ago. I am not the only mental health casualty here, but at least we have each other in the camaraderie you described recently.

I don’t have to preach to the choir to you about lacks in the system in these regards. I did 8 years in the U.K. and I’d rather be here if I had to do time I think... Love your work! KEEP IT UP!

P.S. I have been studying Aboriginal traditional law – some concepts admirably summed up in Tyson Yunkaporta’s magnificent 'Sand Talk: 'How Indigenous Thinking Can Change the World'. Highly recommended.

PEACE – Andrew

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

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