I remember Christmas in prison fondly. I was with all my closest friends – my only friends. When they send you to jail, everyone and everything you have goes away.

I’d never have guessed at the amount of movement happening within the prison system. Not just within a particular prison – that in itself was eye-opening – but movement between prisons.

Prisons de-individualise and dehumanise people. This is often more apparent for people who already do not fit the mold of a “normal person”, such as those with autism spectrum disorder (autism).

The entertainment and news media loves to show a confrontational and violent “don't back down” version of prison life, but what they don't show is the genuine care and openness between strangers in prison.

I am raising this issue in the hope that sharing my story will spark change in the future.

I drive through the gate and see women in blue. They’re going about their morning, just like everyone else in the world – except they’re in prison.

Shane Cuthbert was once in prison – now he is in politics, fighting for rights of the criminalised.

I was 12 when Mum went to prison. Instead of crying, I threw myself into planning everything we’d do once she came back.

My name is Leslie. I am a 66-year-old New Zealander and I have been incarcerated since August 2023 on a charge of dangerous driving causing GBH.

My name is Michael, and I am a person who has an ABI (acquired brain injury) and I have done a lot of time in prison.