ISSUE NO. 23
June 2026
Donate Here

Letters

Studying While Incarcerated

By
Gabrielle

Gabrielle writes from a prison in TAS.

Dear About Time,

We have limited options regarding studying whilst incarcerated. I am midway through an arts degree, however, once I am released, I am re-routing towards politics/law. I’m new to university and how it all works, but I’d also like to formally educate myself towards advocacy. Being a Uni student (there are two of us), we get access to the internet on the odd occasion to download academic research. I spoke with the education manager and was able to secure me permission to download articles to assist in my own personal research towards reintegration, re-socialisation and the effects of institutionalisation, all of which I have grown incredibly passionate and concerned about. I’m also super passionate about advocacy for fellow female inmates, who in my opinion, are oftentimes victims to the people running the show.

I am now overdue for parole, and am paying rent for my bedsit, hoping that within the next two months I can sit for parole.

Until next time and with kindness,

Gabrielle

Dear About Time,

We have limited options regarding studying whilst incarcerated. I am midway through an arts degree, however, once I am released, I am re-routing towards politics/law. I’m new to university and how it all works, but I’d also like to formally educate myself towards advocacy. Being a Uni student (there are two of us), we get access to the internet on the odd occasion to download academic research. I spoke with the education manager and was able to secure me permission to download articles to assist in my own personal research towards reintegration, re-socialisation and the effects of institutionalisation, all of which I have grown incredibly passionate and concerned about. I’m also super passionate about advocacy for fellow female inmates, who in my opinion, are oftentimes victims to the people running the show.

I am now overdue for parole, and am paying rent for my bedsit, hoping that within the next two months I can sit for parole.

Until next time and with kindness,

Gabrielle

Sistas, Support Each Other!

By Anonymous

This letter is to remind you all that, as Sistas, we need to be there for one another to raise women up.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

Strip Searches

By Nikita

It’s daunting enough when you get arrested by police, then placed into custody and thrown into a cell. Then you have to go through a degrading strip search.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

1 MIN READ

If It’s Broken, Then Fix It

By Andrew

I’ve spent most of my adult life behind bars, and I’m not proud to say it. It’s been such a bloody waste.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 MIN READ

Routine is Good, Not Bad

By Dane

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in prison can relate to the concept of prison rituals and routines.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 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

Help Us Keep Publishing About Time
Without About Time, I don’t know where I would be – Mark, from a prison in Victoria

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.

Australia’s prison population is growing, and our many prisons are spread far and wide.

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We need your help to cover postage for anyone who sends us a letter from the inside.

We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.