ISSUE NO. 23
June 2026
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Letters

Studying While Incarcerated

By
Gabrielle

Gabrielle writes from a prison in TAS.

Unseen Studio via Unsplash

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

This
letter
was originally printed in the
June 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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