Donate Here

Letters

Peace on the Inside

Ronin Cruise, based in Queensland, has spent a significant portion of his life in prison. He wrote a book during his recent time called Pri-Zen, and considers writing and sharing his story a key driver in staying clean and out of prison.

'Just Chillin' by Tony, Boom Gate Gallery

My name is Ronin. I have been in and out of prison multiple times over the last 12 years and have reached a point where some call it institutionalised. The thing is, I love prison. I love it so much that I seem to be constantly on a reckless path when I'm out to either die, or come back to prison.

The last two times I was released, I only managed to make it out for a few months, even though I was really trying to do the right thing and work. But using that energy of mine to constantly chase money left me constantly with none left for my passions. That's why I love prison. It's a place where I can read, paint and exercise in peace. A place free from social expectations, free from the monetary rat race and the place I feel the most freedom to be me. I can do all the things that I genuinely love to do without sacrificing myself towards making money. I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I love it so much that this time I'm writing a book about how I found peace in prison. It's called Pri-zen. And like your newspaper, it's a book that I hope will find itself in the hands of my fellow prisoners. To help them learn how to use their time.

Kind regards,

Ronin

My name is Ronin. I have been in and out of prison multiple times over the last 12 years and have reached a point where some call it institutionalised. The thing is, I love prison. I love it so much that I seem to be constantly on a reckless path when I'm out to either die, or come back to prison.

The last two times I was released, I only managed to make it out for a few months, even though I was really trying to do the right thing and work. But using that energy of mine to constantly chase money left me constantly with none left for my passions. That's why I love prison. It's a place where I can read, paint and exercise in peace. A place free from social expectations, free from the monetary rat race and the place I feel the most freedom to be me. I can do all the things that I genuinely love to do without sacrificing myself towards making money. I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I love it so much that this time I'm writing a book about how I found peace in prison. It's called Pri-zen. And like your newspaper, it's a book that I hope will find itself in the hands of my fellow prisoners. To help them learn how to use their time.

Kind regards,

Ronin

This
letter
was originally printed in the
December 2024
edition of About Time.

Staying Out Is the Hard Part

By DJ

Why would anybody want to come back to the system and add to that statistic?

Letters

ISSUE NO. 25

2 MIN READ

Recognising Veterans on the Inside

By Colin

We have an active veterans’ affairs type meeting here every month and an outside group called “Buddy Up” that sends two of their volunteers in.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 25

1 MIN READ

Staying Out of Politics and Working on Myself

By Dylan

I’m only 23 years old but I feel like I’m 43. Being in prison definitely preserves your body but makes your mind and soul feel so much older if you know what I mean.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 25

1 MIN READ

How Do You Cope With Lockdowns?

By Darren

I’ve been in prison for 14 years now, and lockdowns have always been a feature of prison life, but I have also noticed that over the years they have gotten worse and worse.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 25

1 MIN READ

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