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

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

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

By Garry

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?

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

Letters

ISSUE NO. 21

3 MIN READ

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