Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 14

September 2025

ISSUE NO. 14

+

Sections

September 2025

Donate Here

Letters

Luv Ya Bro, on the ‘Inside’ and the ‘Outside’

By

David

David writes from a prison in NSW.

Willy Pleasance

Font Size
Font Size
Line Height
Line Height
Dyslexia Friendly
Black & White
Hide Images
Night Mode

Rarely have I heard men, real men, express their “luv” for one another on the outside so regularly as I do in the yard or in the yelling from their cells after muster.

It takes trust, courage and fearlessness for “real” men to be so open in their expression of “luving” one another.

This seems to me to indicate they sense a belonging not often enjoyed by many men on the outside.

What would you think this implies?

Would it show that many incarcerated men do have the capacity to tell one another how much they are appreciated by sharing the practical things of life – milk, bread, coffee, tea, toilet paper, meals, jam and minties – and often asking each other, “Is there anything you need, bro?”

Does this suggest, at last, they have a sense of belonging and acceptance from another? Maybe this belonging and acceptance has sadly been missing from some family members and friends due to the nature of the less good behaviours in the past?

In their sorrow, shame and guilt, maybe they find those in their family and their friends too judgemental and self-righteous to offer them the chance to make amends? Especially when they want to desperately change!

And so they at least begin to express their need to belong and accept others by saying, “Luv ya bro.”

David.

Rarely have I heard men, real men, express their “luv” for one another on the outside so regularly as I do in the yard or in the yelling from their cells after muster.

It takes trust, courage and fearlessness for “real” men to be so open in their expression of “luving” one another.

This seems to me to indicate they sense a belonging not often enjoyed by many men on the outside.

What would you think this implies?

Would it show that many incarcerated men do have the capacity to tell one another how much they are appreciated by sharing the practical things of life – milk, bread, coffee, tea, toilet paper, meals, jam and minties – and often asking each other, “Is there anything you need, bro?”

Does this suggest, at last, they have a sense of belonging and acceptance from another? Maybe this belonging and acceptance has sadly been missing from some family members and friends due to the nature of the less good behaviours in the past?

In their sorrow, shame and guilt, maybe they find those in their family and their friends too judgemental and self-righteous to offer them the chance to make amends? Especially when they want to desperately change!

And so they at least begin to express their need to belong and accept others by saying, “Luv ya bro.”

David.

Leave a Comment

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
0 Comments
Author Name
Comment Time

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. uis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Send Us a Letter

Your contributions are the centerpiece of the paper. If you would like to contribute to our Letters section, please send your letters to the below postal address:

About Time
PO BOX 24041
Melbourne VIC 3000

How I’ve GROWn

By Trevor

GROW is a community-based national organisation that works on mental wellbeing using a 12-step program of personal growth, mutual help and support. It operates through weekly peer support groups.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 17

2 MIN READ

A Letter From the USA: Treasure the Moments With the Ones You Love

By Tricia

Hello to everyone in Australia. My name is Tricia. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am serving a life sentence, and, for those of you who don’t know, a life sentence in Pennsylvania means your entire life.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 17

3 MIN READ

‘Protection’ at the Cost of Human Rights

By Timmy

In New South Wales, there were previously three levels of protective custody for vulnerable inmates, such as myself, who have autism spectrum disorder and other mental health issues.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 17

1 MIN RED

Rest in Paradise, Alithea

By Adrielle

I am writing to you about my one and only older sister, Alithea. RIP. It’s been 2 months since I lost you.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 17

2 MIN READ

Get the full paper in print each month.

6-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for six months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $70

12-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for twelve months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $125

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.

Support Australia's First National Prison Newspaper

A place for news and education, expression and hope

Help keep the momentum going. All donations will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. If you would like to pay directly into our bank account to avoid the processing fee, please contact donate@abouttime.org.au. ABN 67 667 331 106.

It's
About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

Welcome to About Time

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

Your browser window currently does not have enough height, or is zoomed in too far to view our website content correctly. Once the window reaches the minimum required height or zoom percentage, the content will display automatically.

Alternatively, you can learn more via the links below.

Donations via GiveNow

Email

Instagram

LinkedIn

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.