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Letters

‘Just Stop and Think About Who You Might Hurt’

By
DJ

DJ writes from a prison in VIC.

Willy Pleasance

Hi everyone,

Next time you think about doing a crime whatever that may be, just stop and think about your partner or your children or any of your loved ones, even pets, because it may affect us doing time, but I can guarantee it affects them a lot more.

I promised my daughter that I wouldn’t come back here and here I am again. I am really regretting it, as the mother of my kids and my daughter are not replying to my letters and I’ve heard nothing about them, and it is just added stress to me thinking they’re done with me and my mental health dramas and alcohol use.

I feel empty without them and I can’t imagine how my dad feels about me being here again.

Choose your actions wisely and always think about the ones who care about you, and if you are noticing you’re going downhill or not feeling right then seek help – it could save you.

Hi everyone,

Next time you think about doing a crime whatever that may be, just stop and think about your partner or your children or any of your loved ones, even pets, because it may affect us doing time, but I can guarantee it affects them a lot more.

I promised my daughter that I wouldn’t come back here and here I am again. I am really regretting it, as the mother of my kids and my daughter are not replying to my letters and I’ve heard nothing about them, and it is just added stress to me thinking they’re done with me and my mental health dramas and alcohol use.

I feel empty without them and I can’t imagine how my dad feels about me being here again.

Choose your actions wisely and always think about the ones who care about you, and if you are noticing you’re going downhill or not feeling right then seek help – it could save you.

This
letter
was originally printed in the
April 2026
edition of About Time.

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Welcome to About Time

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

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