ISSUE NO. 7
February 2025
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Letters

"Use Your Time”, Don’t “Do Your Time”

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.

Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Before anything I am a human being. As I’ve learnt, this is quite important to remember. Because labels don’t really matter in the end. They are just illusions. They create division amongst us. Artificial social statuses and worldly belongings that are temporary. All can be lost and forgotten at any moment. I know this all too well. What matters is what we do and who we are when we are stripped of all those “things”. That is what connects us all. It doesn’t matter about this relation or that nationality, man or women, beyond them all we are human first. If we remind ourselves of this first and foremost, it connects us all. Going beyond any differences between us. What matters is what you do today, and the impact you have on those around you.

There is something special about prison. It’s a chance to step away from our lifestyles and families. Things that we become so attached to. Here, stripped of everything you thought made you who you are. You can build upon who you really are.

Instead of focusing on all the things that are out of your control or reached; focus on what is possible with the time you have. Learn how to “use your time” not “do your time”. Pick up a book, get to training, become organised. Everyday, make votes towards the person you aspire to be.

The last thing you want to do is walk out those gates and say “I should have done more”.

Before anything I am a human being. As I’ve learnt, this is quite important to remember. Because labels don’t really matter in the end. They are just illusions. They create division amongst us. Artificial social statuses and worldly belongings that are temporary. All can be lost and forgotten at any moment. I know this all too well. What matters is what we do and who we are when we are stripped of all those “things”. That is what connects us all. It doesn’t matter about this relation or that nationality, man or women, beyond them all we are human first. If we remind ourselves of this first and foremost, it connects us all. Going beyond any differences between us. What matters is what you do today, and the impact you have on those around you.

There is something special about prison. It’s a chance to step away from our lifestyles and families. Things that we become so attached to. Here, stripped of everything you thought made you who you are. You can build upon who you really are.

Instead of focusing on all the things that are out of your control or reached; focus on what is possible with the time you have. Learn how to “use your time” not “do your time”. Pick up a book, get to training, become organised. Everyday, make votes towards the person you aspire to be.

The last thing you want to do is walk out those gates and say “I should have done more”.

Lessons from Bees

By Muhamed

Prison teaches people to hold back. To keep to themselves. To give as little as possible. To protect what little energy or hope they have left. When everything feels limited – time, freedom, trust – it makes sense to think that giving more will leave you with less. But the bee lives by a different rule.

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Albany Prisoners on Lockdowns

By Prisoners at Albany Prison, WA

We are not sure who to write to or who we can talk to about theses matters. We are hoping someone reads our letter and can point us in the right direction to have our voices heard.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

1 MIN READ

Rights for Foreign Prisoners

By Luiing

If foreign prisoners have been sentenced under same law as Australians, then it’s extremely important that they have right to be treat equally in their imprisonment – on humanitarian grounds.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Not Cool: Heat and Overcrowding in TMCC

By Dane

The following is in response to the article by Denham Sadler titled “Sweltering Behind Bars: Stifling Heat in Australian prisons”.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 22

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Welcome to About Time

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

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