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Letters

Same Boys, Same Noise

Anonymous

The author was imprisoned in Australia.

Larry Farr via Unsplash

It was another day in the yard. Same boys, same noise.

I was comfortable, as much as I could be considering the circumstances.

I had been in better yards – but not many, probably one to be honest.

And it was the same yard, same location. Just different people. You learn who’s doing the long stints really quick.

Testosterone grew amongst the younger boys, always something to prove, much more willing than most. Naturally they ganged together.

“They didn’t scare me, we were friends, and I’d still probably shake the little bastard’s hands” – Vishus Emcee 2026

That last sentence sums up jail. For anyone, anywhere. Jail is just society amplified.

“Freedom is the choice to say no” – Shantaram

I slept peacefully that night. But I will never forget the smell in my room. Like iron … almost metallic.

The room was clean, spotless. I made that point clear to the boys.

It took me a week to spot a drop of blood.

I felt sorry for the man, and I gave him a hug.

To this day, I admire his strength.

He never said a word. The guards found out a few days later after finally requesting he remove his beanie and glasses.

Life is unfair, people get dealt shit cards.

How much do you really care about your fellow man?

Would you step in if they were facing death?

Thank you for letting me share <3

It was another day in the yard. Same boys, same noise.

I was comfortable, as much as I could be considering the circumstances.

I had been in better yards – but not many, probably one to be honest.

And it was the same yard, same location. Just different people. You learn who’s doing the long stints really quick.

Testosterone grew amongst the younger boys, always something to prove, much more willing than most. Naturally they ganged together.

“They didn’t scare me, we were friends, and I’d still probably shake the little bastard’s hands” – Vishus Emcee 2026

That last sentence sums up jail. For anyone, anywhere. Jail is just society amplified.

“Freedom is the choice to say no” – Shantaram

I slept peacefully that night. But I will never forget the smell in my room. Like iron … almost metallic.

The room was clean, spotless. I made that point clear to the boys.

It took me a week to spot a drop of blood.

I felt sorry for the man, and I gave him a hug.

To this day, I admire his strength.

He never said a word. The guards found out a few days later after finally requesting he remove his beanie and glasses.

Life is unfair, people get dealt shit cards.

How much do you really care about your fellow man?

Would you step in if they were facing death?

Thank you for letting me share <3

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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