Every day we receive letters from people in prison. Many share the impact of About Time on their lives. Readers have told us that they feel as if they have a voice for the very first time. Some talk about how the paper has helped them connect to others and lessen isolation. Many talk about the educative benefit of the paper, while others praise the newfound hope and sense of self-worth they feel reading a publication just for them. Here are all of their words.
About Time gives prisoners a voice and a platform. Contributing made me feel valued. The relatable content really makes you feel that you are not alone. In my 4th week of prison it is already making a hard situation somewhat better and has given me a more positive feeling. Keep up the great work, you are making a difference and helping countless people get through this experience!
I read your paper the night previous, and a part of me that previously was dead or dying suddenly felt alive and connected to others with similar struggles and trauma … So I just want to say thanks for your newsletter/prison paper.
Just because we're in prison doesn't mean everyone should forget about us.
With About Time - we are not forgotten.
Thank you.
Here, identity is often reduced to our MIN number, our sense of personhood is eroded day by day. Yet when an inmate's words or artwork appear in About Time, that person is recognised again as fully human, capable of thought, creativity, and contribution. There is no other service in Australia that reaches us in this way.
About Time has been a lifeline - when I was inside, it gave me a sense of purpose and feelings of camaraderie. The stories were really powerful. I have a chronic illness and suffer from intense pain, and writing for About Time has given me something to focus on and prevents me from going to dark places. Without About Time I don't know where I would be.
Thank you About Time - the printed voice of the prisons.
Thank you to all who created 'About Time' and for making it work. I am a deaf prisoner who is quite isolated within isolation. The newspaper is like a light at the end of a tunnel. Thank you.
Keep this paper going, has heaps of info for people like me, who know nothing about the system.
About Time volunteers, give yourself a pat on the back for this paper, well done! You have no idea the effect it has on the readers. Such a positive initiative towards all people incarcerated. Thank you.
Wow, I won the caption comp for December... I've never won anything and the whole jail is congratulating me. Our jail was never told about your newspaper – but in November 2024 it just showed up and all 120 girls love it. So please, please keep it up. We eagerly await it every month here.
Your work is so necessary for the nourishment of the incarcerated.
I have encouraged men like Tony, Adrian and others to contribute. Tony was so excited his two letters were published and receiving a personal letter from Denham Sadler. It increased his self confidence.
This paper is dedicated to prisoners which helps our mind health in so many ways.
The stories are from prisoners who want to share their views with others and that helps us do our time. It meant I could share my story with others who are feeling the same way. I feel this paper allows us to connect with each other.
About Time is a great way to learn what is happening in other jails. It was a chance to use my writing skills and use the tools to tell a story. Love this paper.
Please keep up the great work and thanks for giving us a voice.
Its my first time reading this paper and I love every thing that it offers, thank you for sharing information that all prisoners need to know.
It makes you feel like your feelings and thoughts are valid and others can relate to how you feel and together we can over come this negative time in our lives and turn this experience into a positive and heal and live your best life.
Because it comes from us that live it, us the real people that experience jail life every day every minute, people on the outside should really learn what actually goes on and the mistreatment we as prisoners go through we are all not bad people.
This is just the first of many times I will submit my words, my feelings and my thoughts I will continue to offer my help and guidance even when I am released.
Its good to share and connect without judgement give you self confidence.
I can't tell you how glad I was to see this paper come into my unit, a sign that times can and always will change the way we live, especially in prison.
Thank you for providing such a great source of information for people who have found themselves inside. I have been reading your papers now for a few months. I have really appreciated reading stories etc from fellow inmates. I have been struggling with the disconnection I feel from my loved ones, especially my beautiful partner Melanie. I thought I'd send in a poem I wrote expressing my feelings about the sadness but also the hope that I feel about seeing my girl. She is my everything and I miss her terribly. I hope that anyone who reads it finds comfort and hope in it. I pray to be back with her soon.
To About Time,
Thank you for your newspaper. I look forward to reading it each month. Its great! I enjoyed it from the first time I read it last year. Its made me feel connected, seen & heard. When I first went to jail I felt really alone and your newspaper helped me so much. Someone – well lots of someones – got how I felt. They understood. Thank you for that. I've written this poem while incarcerated. I really hope you will publish it for me.
Keep up the hard work – we need you guys.
About Time helped both me and my partner on the outside share some situationaI awareness. Cannot wait for the paper each month. The articles by other prisoners resonate with my own inner voice, they give my own feelings more universality. Submitting my writing feels as if I can make a difference.
Thank you About Time! Amazing work.
About Time gives a sense of community and belonging. It’s valuable to have my opinion heard and respected, to stay feeling valued and worthy.
To have a voice, to be heard with no fear of judgment. It gives a clearer perspective and to know that others experience the same things as we do in these places. Hear and see other peoples stories and know there is no judgement.
Because the truths are being printed rather than hidden.
Thank you for what you do.
I have no contact with my brother who is in prison and the newspaper gives me great comfort knowing I have some small insight into his life, a way I can connect with his world.
I first and foremost would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work that goes into producing and providing myself and the other prisoners in Australia with your truly captivating content.
Your work and effort does not go unnoticed.
Thank you to the team at About Time for your efforts and hard work making the newspaper what it is.
This is my first time and I must say, stumbling across About Time has made things so much better. The open, honest, raw and relatable articles are real gems and resonate hugely.
Anyway, I felt compelled to contribute so here follows a few submissions for your consideration.
About Time
There is a great paper 'About Time',
Which is free and won't cost you a dime,
With articles galore,
It is never a bore,
And provides a refreshing angle on crime!
I have been in prison for over 13 years and I want to say that your newspaper is an amazing opportunity for all who have put the time in and it has been very well received throughout the Victorian Prison System.
I relate to a lot of people in this paper. I feel comfort in knowing I'm not alone in custody. I feel more connected, and well heard.
I feel submitting/participating in surveys makes me feel as my input is valued towards making a better paper! It's helped boredom and helped me better understand jail, as it's my first time (been here 4 months).
Keep producing a great paper! Thousands of us appreciate it! Love from Charlotte.
Thanks again for all of you working so professionally and with passion. The paper is a great success among the men I speak with. I encourage them to write. There is so much talent among the men to be shared.
This paper deserves all the support it can get. A way for prisoners to express their honest stories and gifts. A real way to heal and rehabilitate encouraging others to do the same.
He was pretty happy when he called, and had already cut the exercises out to stick on the wall in his cell!
Thanks again Edith. I hope all in the AT team really understand how much difference the paper makes.
Hello About Time and Readers,
I love getting the opportunity to learn about other prisoners and their stories from all over the country. We all have something to share and I encourage everyone to give it a go. Finding purpose is how we thrive beyond survival against all odds, especially in these circumstances that I'm sure we can all relate to.
Shout out to my girls at DPFC and anyone else incarcerated, struggling with their own consciousness.
A gracious thank you to About Time for giving us a necessary platform to express ourselves.
About Time helps me relate to my problems knowing others are also dealing with similar problems I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I feel that I have a connection to others with similar struggles and that I am not alone. I don’t feel as isolated over the past six years doing hard time.
It has given me the confidence in trying to write better and for help in bettering myself pre-release.
Due to reading this I know there is help and that there’s always some one worse off needing help.
Dear Rosie,
I just want to say how happy I am to receive a reply from you. I never expected an acknowledgement of receipt, let along a letter. This means a world to me. It shows that someone was kind enough to take their time to read through and understand what it meant and appreciate the event and the effects it bears upon the writer. I can not thank you enough for that.
To About Time,
I only just discovered the prison newspaper last month in April 2026.
I spent all day reading and sharing the newspaper here at Melaleuca Women’s Prison.
I had only just begun writing again since getting incarcerated this year in January.
When I found out about About Time I was excited to be able to write in to the national prison newspaper.
I do look forward to reading some of the submitted written work of others and possibly hope to enter into the next writing competition!
From Vanessa.
To read about people experiencing almost the same things that bother me makes me feel less isolated and that I am not crazy, some peace of mind and relativity, empathy and understanding.
To read about others going through the same experience is reassuring and comforting, it helps kill time, learn, laugh and relate.
Keep up the good work. We need you :)
Finally a voice for the unseen and unheard. First huge step in connecting prisoners.
There are way too many problems in jail, so to hope for better solutions is always an interesting find. Also staying connected to other's thoughts and feelings – it sort of feels like a union paper.
I certainly agree it helps give a more earnest effort of confidence in writing, but I do believe it is more to do with the burning feelings in one's heart that makes them feel compelled to write. Improved writing skills is just a bonus.
I personally look forward to the paper, as do so many others in prison. The impact was very moving – to hear other stories, to see legal opportunities available as well as fun stuff to do to keep us occupied (especially with so many lockdowns). It is in the word 'Impact' – To Act!
I’ve read every edition, and love what you do this paper brings hope and reminds us we are human.
From my poems I hope to bring hope! I want to reach people and if my poem somewhere helps someone then I have succeeded in my mission.
About Time has positively impacted my belief in myself. It has real life stories from real life prisoners.
About Time is filled with good and thoughtful people issues, because we all have contributed to it. Misery loves company, so to speak. I’m now 9 jail sentences in so am very much used to this but this is for us crims and has made us feel connected and that someone gives a f**k. By making us write letters, it helped stimulate the brain.
The paper gives me a positive attitude is because I felt good when I read this. Thank you and I love your work.
About Time is an avenue that we can express our frustrations, our gratitude and facts. It is a honest and reliable source that we can depend on, it is stories and facts from prisoners that hasn’t been distorted. None of the stories have been doctored. I really enjoy reading this honest media outlet. Thank you!
I'd like to give a shout-out to Vanessa from prison in WA and welcome to About Time. I discovered About Time early last year 2025 and always look forward each month for the read. Last year in two seperate issues I had stories published and seeing them in the national prison newspaper was the best feeling.
I've always had a love for writing but never had the time, now incarcerated I have nothing but time so I decided to put pen to paper and with two stories published I am now working on writing a book.
Sometimes when we write something worth publishing it is when we least expect it. For me writing is a powerful tool that helps with my mental health.
Keep up the good work and never give up writing, I look forward to future stories.
Thank you for your work providing the About Time platform which allows creativity and expression a space to flourish.
Last night I woke up with something I had to write down which is just how it happens, and I wrote this poem that I would like to share with everybody. I hope you like it too.
It would be nice if you could publish it as it is my hope that it will help people form more positive relationships in their lives and help contribute to a more pro-social society.
Thank you, I enjoy reading your newspaper.
Dear About Time,
Thank you once again for your amazing publication. I know I speak for myself and many of the other men here when I say that you publication is valued and appreciatedand we look forward to its arrival each month. It certainly becomes a central discussion point in the yard in the days following its distribution here. Both myself and the other men within my accommodation lodge read over every edition repeatedly.
I've written to you once previously with a poem that didn't make the cut. I hope my submission this time around is more in line with the material you're looking to publish. Once again, thank you for your incredible work in continuing to support, connect, and inform incarcerated men and women across the country.
I write to About Time so others can see their stories matter and others will maybe write in too or tell there families to. Cause it helps to deal with being stuck and also lets me get it out.
It makes me feel pain is only a thought not a feeling and everyone goes through it some don’t show it. Cause I see others feel it or live it too, I feel their pain as I too have lived it or gone through it.
It is a space of free speech and also gives good advice and also hope and strength.
I've been following your paper and I love it. I find it very cool and entertaining.
Dear About Time,
I was very excited to see the writing competition article in the latest edition. Included is my submission. It's based on my own happy place (nature) and even if it's nowhere near good enough to be included in the newspaper, just having the chance to write creatively is fantastic. So thank you.
I did get a copy of the paper with my article in it and I was pleased that some of my villain mates approved and wanted me to sign their copy. As a published author I charged them one Tim Tam per signature.
I love this newspaper and enjoy reading it from front to back and back to front. I really enjoy looking at the artworks. You published one of my artworks, DEEP OCEAN, so thank you. I am very proud of that artwork. I taught myself to do art as I was severely bullied and abused, mentally, and physically, growing up and until this very day and I find it is good escape for my mental health. It helps me copy with all the bullshit and bullying that goes on in this place, that I've called home for the past 9 years. I have a minimum of 6 years left to go and then hopefully I can leave this place behind me. I'm not sure where I will restart my life once I'm out, but I guess I still have time to sort that out lol. Well that's all I wanted to say so thank you and keep up the wonderful work.
I am thankful for any and all social and creative outlets such as yourselves involved in the creation and distribution of your newspaper. They provide a link or window to another place, an opening for personal expression and a greater sense of community for those who choose to make use of the opportunities. Having someone stop you in the yard to tell you that they were impressed with your writing is valuable and reinvigorating.
It was great to see prisoners being spoken of in a constructive and positive way, as I'm sure you're aware that isn't the norm in Australia. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully reading your newspaper.
Congratulations on the launch of About Time. I can only imagine how many obstacles you have navigated to successfully sail the product into Australia's prisons, and from where I sit it was very warmly received by the inmates, security and medical staff that I share time with. Well done, and thank you for delivering us something we didn't know we needed until we received it.
Love reading everyone’s submissions and thank you for the last publication.
I can tell you that the papers are very popular and are often requested from prisoners, and I have received positive feedback.
Great to see how the publication is putting forward items of interest to inmates, such as the expansion of education in venues.
I'm recently been incarcerated just over two months now.Upon arrival the girls told me the poem I wrote was published. I was very excited.As I was very proud of this. I was hoping you could send me a copy?
Absolutely loving your work, as a criminal defence lawyer it's so refreshing to see people curious and caring about prisoners.
About Time Newspaper,
Thank you for making a paper for us prisoners. Its one of the only things we get in here that gives us some hope.
Its full of inspirational stories and good information and gives us space to have our say.
So everyone who is involved, thank you so much.
Thank you most kindly for your words about my latest article, 'When Your Mind Turns Against You: Understanding Depression in Prison.' It came straight from the heart.
Together we can effect positive change, and About Time is a blessed resource for doing just that. Your work is immensely meaningful.
I enjoy the paper, it’s empowering. Nice to see how others are feeling and us inmates are in the same boat. It's just a great read. We need it.
It is comforting and nice that About Time so clearly shows people care enough to bother printing. :-)
About Time allows for expression, and a platform to be seen and heard, in a space with little other options for us. Had over a dozen people say they read and enjoyed my writings after they were published. Can be yourself in the written word, free thought and expression of mind.
I submitted to feel seen/heard, in an environment where we’re not; had a lot of feedback from friends inside and a nice letter from the outside posted in reply.
Keep up the professional and caring support given to the incarcerated. It is quality "therapy", so needed.
To Denham Sadler,
I liked what you wrote in the December edition.
I appreciate your time and I love your paper and its content.
G'day, My name is Dane. Firstly, great job on the paper. I look forward to it every month and expect I'm not the only Aussie inmate who is appreciative of the effort that goes into producing such a thing and at no cost to the incarcerated. Keep up the good work.
I wanted to mention that I work with guys transitioning back into the community after being in prison and the everyone absolutely loves the paper – so thanks for all the great work.
About Time has helped me with my research into psychology.
When I get out, I am going to use my skills as a songwriter/performer to start a business and entertain people. I will look forward to seeing future issues and reading about people's journeys through their hardship.
I will continue to read About Time and contribute, as I thoroughly enjoy reading people's stories and writing to others.
Thank you for reading and never stop smiling.
Thank you for taking time to read my letter and I hope to hear your response.
Love your work!
To the awesome newspaper for all prisons – About Time,
Thank you for your newspaper. The women love reading it here.
About Time has relatable info that may help me.
I love the About Time paper and what it does for the world.
Like the paper. Keep up the good work. I would like to see my poem in the paper one day.
It is valuable reading the impact of incarceration has on many.
Thanks for all the important work you and your organisation are doing.
I liked seeing my work in print and the responses of other inmates. Its good to see other prisons share the same problems or issues. There were a couple of the legal tips I took onboard and used.
About Time reminds me that I'm not alone in the prison. I'm human just like you. It allows community to exist outside of individual prisons. It gives varied opinions, even people who disagree with each other. It's refreshing. It gave me something to do that feels important. I have a voice.
Thanks About Time! Thanks Rosie! Publishing my writing means so much to me and gives me hope I might use my writing to get me out of this life. Please write back with any advice or thoughts! Can't wait to see my writing in next month's edition!
P.S. Love your work.
Thank you to all those that support this paper and care about us inside. For the first time feel like it could cause a connection or respect, gratitude that our system is finally coming to light/improvement.
Thank you About Time – the printed voice of the prisons.
Thanks for your excellent newspaper. It always contains useful information and heartfelt stories. Keep up the good work.
Firstly, thank you for all you do in preparing and producing About Time.
The June addition has arrived and has been distributed. The ladies were all reading it and some are now contacting Women’s Advocacy Service from the article, just some recognition of what your paper does to get the word out about amazing new services. Thank you.
Thanks for providing About Time and explaining things – it's helpful for understanding life behind bars and other things.
About Time has renewed my belief and hope that honesty matters, that other quality people care about honesty and justice, that incarcerated people choose to make amends and that others care - our source of healing and change.
My personal gratitude to Joseph Friedman, Rosie staff, financial supporters, subscribers and the courageous contributors.
Thank you for the newspapers and taking the time to read my letter.
Heard of your work on radio national well done.
Some of the stories, songs, poems etc exactly reflect feelings or situations I and others at this prison experience. I love this publication. Thank you!
Thank you to all who created 'About Time' and for making it work. I am a deaf prisoner who is quite isolated within isolation. The newspaper is like a light at the end of a tunnel. Thank you.
Keep up the good work, I love reading About Time as I find some sections informative and interesting.
I am so proud that I get to welcome our NT people in prison to your very first issue of About Time! This is your newspaper, so please write in and send pictures, stories, poems and whatever else fits.
I look forward to hearing from people in the NT writing into About Time and making the newspaper your own.
I recently discovered your publication while flicking through the resources on my tablet but have now gone through and read all the back issues available… it's fantastic and look forward to its release each month.
Again, congratulations to you and your staff for "About Time". I am so impressed.
I read the About Time newspaper every month, and I'm always looking forward to next month's one! This is my first time writing to you guys, and I want to thank you for reading my letter.
Dear About Time,
Thank you for your amazing publication. I know myself and some of the other men here really look forward to each issue. The content is excellent and it creates that much needed connection between prisoners across the country. I find myself reading over and over each issue and always finding some new detail to appreciate. I'm not sure exactly how but, I would love to support the About Time Publication in any way I can.
I'm currently engaged in distance education via Curtin University and I'm studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences. I'm employed as the G.E.O Peer Educator here. Where possible, I try to be an active and positive member of the community wherever I'm placed throughout the Victorian Corrections system. I believe it's absolutely critical to both create and support pro-social initiatives in this environment to keep prisoners engaged in meaningful, rewarding and positive ways.
My earliest release date is mid 2028 so I have plenty of time remaining to continue working on myself and supporting other prisoners where possible to change the direction of their lives for the better. Thank you for taking the time to read my note.
I have included a poem for submission.
Thank you for your newspapers, you do a fantastic job of being entertaining as well as resourceful.
Thank you so much for the paper. It has been quite the eye opener for me, eight months into a two year sentence. Among the views expressed, many about their time, reflecting on boredom, lack of resources and so on, and I thought to add my older prisoner view simply because so many of your readers here at Wolston are older men, though I assume many of the same or similar issues happen to women as well.
Thank you all very much for the outstanding work and effort. The paper is a much needed blessing for all of us.
Keep up this amazing paper, It’s a tremendous help to many. I think it’s amazing. Everyone should be issued one upon induction.
Kind regards, and many thanks for your continuous work every month to deliver yet another great monthly edition of "About Time".
In all this time, we have so badly needed exactly what 'About Time' newsletters provide. So many of us incarcerated greatly appreciate the space you guys provide for us all to stay connected, for the sense of community it creates and the information you provide that we otherwise would never have. So thank you About Time! Thanks for taking the time to read my letter. Thanks again, you guys are great!
Thank you for all you do in putting together About Time and sending it into prisons. I certainly found it helpful and informative while I was inside. I look forward to reading the next edition of About Time when it comes out. I really like the way you have formatted your website. A bit easier to follow and read compared to what was on the NSW tablet version. Keep up the good work.
As a former social worker, I’m 74, by the way, I did my early years in adult probation and parole. Many visits to Pentridge. Worked at Turana youth justice centre before doing social work. I think this idea is beyond brilliant. It ticks so many boxes.
Big congratulations on the newspaper, you have no idea how many of us read your paper and how much it helps us boys to know and hear so many of us are going through the same stuff.
Thanks again so much for the hard copies of About Time you sent us – they have been very popular. I am also setting some AT articles for readings in my courses. I was really interested in the recent piece about the High Court challenge on egg freezing - so many layers of discrimination here.
About time has given me hope: there are people on the outside who are trying to make some positive changes for us inmates. It's good to know there are people on the outside advocating for us inmates. Reading About Time, there are many inmates having to deal with issues similar to mine.
Thank you About Time.
This newspaper is a fantastic idea and I am glad it comes here.
Thank you for all you do in putting together About Time and sending it into prisons. I certainly found it helpful and informative while I was inside.
I look forward to reading the next edition of About Time when it comes out.
Already, by my enthusiasm, and seeing my article painted, interest in the paper is taking off. More believe they are able to be heard [read]. Slowly this will encourage others. To have their opinions in print is a boost to their value of self-respect.
Joseph and his team are beginning a remarkable journey towards quality communication assisting men to find their self-respect and worth as human beings!
This adds another step in the "ladder" to restorative justice in reality. A healing power. Wow!
Thank you for your continued hard work to put together such an amazing magazine for all inmates, and may Peace, love and happiness touch everyone.
I will continue to send in creative writing pieces. Thanks again for all your encouragement. It means a great deal to me.
Dear About Time thanks for your tireless efforts in making a little brightness in an otherwise dull place. I especially would like to thank you for your reply paid letters between calls and munchies.
Thank you for your time reading this. And thank you for giving me and the other blokes something good to read here.
Congratulations on your 12th issue. One year seems so fast when you look back on it. I look forward to each and every issue, thanks again.
Hello Editors,
Once again, I offer congratulations for your May edition.
As always, thanks for your continued valuable publishing and I look forward to your next edition.
A big shout to all prisoners and the team of "Australia's National Prison Newspaper. Thank you for all the support.
Thanks for your excellent newspaper. It always contains useful information and heartfelt stories. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for a great magazine.
Dear About Time Editor,
Please feel free to edit this letter to better suit your newspaper and readers. I just want to do my part to make someone else’s life a little better.
I was so excited that we got them. Just so you know, we also have a prisoner sending them out to a family member once they have been read.
Dear 'Bout Time Crews!!! 'Nuff Respect, Kudos, and Vast Appreciation on your Magnificent, Pertinent and Poignant Periodical that just keeps getting better. WORD UP!!!
Keep up the awesome prints! We all love and appreciate them down here.
Principally I write to extend feedback - re: your monthly paper. I must say that it was with more than the usual measuring spoon of interest that most here welcomed its arrival. Upon finding it in our respective mailboxes, it caused a stir. A tad like the discovery of gold in Ballarat: a freakin buzz!
Some leafed the pages; quietly absorbed by its content. Whilst some flocked together like a monochrome-green flamboyance of flamingos chortling approbation for the contents therein. A small, tidy group o Indigenous fellas loudly (and proudly!) celebrated the inclusion of the artwork of a dear friend of mine Chris at the top right corner of page 11. In short, conversation thrived! The overall reaction across the board: favourable!
Could it be I'm 'reading' too much into it, if you'll pardon the intended pun? Nay, say I. For the reason is simple. For most of us, About-Time rekindles the hearth flames of hope…. And solidarity.
Concurrently - albeit more tactfully - it served as a semi-tabloid sized platform some many choose to use as a way of expressing the beauty they've shielded within since time immemorial. This beauty, be it an artistic or linguistics, or even just humanistic, will finally sprout from the nutrient-poor soil of imprisonment like a tentative sapling (craving the warmth of yellow sunshine on its budding, little leaves).
A 'green' clothed sapling that can now reach toward the azure skies of better expression; ethical tolerance; and more meaningful connection with life and love.
As one of the two peer educators, I interact with dozens of inmates daily. Without reservations, I can say your paper has had a positive influence on all and sundry. And that's tickety-boo!! Quite soon, I imagine you'll be navigating a metaphorical diluvial flood of correspondence into all areas of expression you graciously invite feedback and/or input.
If you would be so kind as to grant me a little leeway in sending you an occasional short story, or a poem, or even an observational anecdote: then I'd be totes chuffed!
Since receiving your paper it’s great to be aware and see the similar patterns in prisons and how we can make a better environment.
Brilliant, fabulous, fantastic, awesome About Time.
Thank you About Time, you are all doing a good job.
Continue the great work – you make a real difference.
About Time volunteers, give yourself a pat on the back for this paper, well done! You have no idea the effect it has on the readers. Such a positive initiative towards all people incarcerated. Thank you.
I write to you, as a Victorian prison officer who reads every issue of About Time. It really helps me to see things through the prisoner's eyes. Although I am empathic, reading this publication enlightens me and increases my understanding of the issues prisoners face. Taking the time to read each issue and consider the content (with an open mind) makes me a better officer; and I sincerely hope that the perspective I gain comes across to all the guys in our care. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me up here at Wellington Jail situated way out western NSW near Dubbo it was a nice surprise a timely one as I wasn’t sure what you’d think about my poetry but the reaction was a positive one and the feedback I’ve been getting is very inspiring to help drive me forward in using my time in a constructive manner.
You see I get a sense of reward and achievement I’m happy that my poetry has helped others who maybe struggling and that my words may find them hope, and bring happiness its very uplifting and in this toxic environment we all need a way of escape to take our minds away from negative influences and people.
I find when I’m in the zone doing poetry a safe space I can distract my mind and take it outside these walls its very comforting.
I really look forward to each edition of About Time as we get lots of lock ins, so far 4 days in a row so I’m developing cabin fever.
Thank you for sending this newspaper to the residents here, they have arrived and as always there has been a positive response.
I have just recently subscribed to your paper. On receiving the digital version of “The Mother’s Day Special Edition,” I listened to the interview with Nightlife ABC – ‘Meet the Publisher of Australia’s Only Prison Paper.’
*Joseph Friedman came across as very passionate and knowledgeable. I was most interested to hear what he had to say in relation to “reversing the presumption of bail laws” and that almost half of people in Australia’s prisons are in remand not convicted of a sentence.
I started to do some further inquiry as to what this meant and it all started to make sense.
I, family, closest friends and most importantly my partner have all been at a loss as to why it was so difficult to get bail. Joseph with his interview, has just shed light on this tonight, with his comment on the reverse presumption of bail laws.
As this has had such a profound effect on me. It may give those in this situation and their families fighting for bail a greater understanding and better informed consent when considering application for bail.
P.S. Lastly I really value your paper, even as a supportive family member on the outside. Especially the above interview I have just talked about and the Kairos Outside for Women advertisement as I was able to reach out to the ministry and will attend a weekend later in the month.*
Most important newspaper/media going – thank you for all that you do.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to write to you guys. Once I’ve got my course completed, I will write again about what we need out there in the community to stay out of this place.
[The papers] appear to be very popular.
Hello to About Time, and all readers everywhere.
Sometimes when I'm alone I enjoy writing to try and take my mind from where I am. This is one of the poems. I hope you enjoy! Thanks a lot for providing me the opportunity to express myself and my thoughts to my fellow incarcerated people! Keep your head high guys and girls… Let them lock up our bodies but never our minds...
This is the first time we have seen your newspaper, I found it informative and entertaining.
This is so awesome. Such important work. I must look into how you got approval for this as the state is so punitive and resistant to prisoners needs. Anyway, awesome work!
Thank you About Time - the printed voice of the prisons.
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