Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

Letters

About Time dedicates many of its pages to publishing the letters of people in prison, as well as from their family and friends.

This is the centrepiece of the paper: a platform for people to share their experiences and learn from each other.

Latest
Hope and Solidarity – a Freakin' Buzz!
Hope and Solidarity – a Freakin' Buzz!
Hope and Solidarity – a Freakin' Buzz!
Subheading
Subheading
By Joe
By Joe

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 @ MRC welcomed its arrival.

ISSUE NO. 3
5 MIN READ
Markus Spiske
My Time in Here Will Not Define Me
My Time in Here Will Not Define Me
My Time in Here Will Not Define Me
Subheading
Subheading
By Storm
By Storm

12 months into being remanded in custody. I’m still yet to be sentenced – hence I can’t see the end at all.

ISSUE NO. 3
3 MIN READ
'Forest Sky' by Mimo, $160, #5733, 60cm x 98cm, acrylic on canvas, available to purchase at https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/boom-gate-gallery
Time Stands Still for No Man
By Andrew

Hey guys, I love getting the chance to read about other prisoners all around the country each month and thought I would share my story.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
I Am Not My Crime
By Brendan

I encourage everyone who is incarcerated not to identify with your crime. Rather, identify with something higher, wider and greater than that.

ISSUE NO. 17
1 MIN READ
Willy Pleasance
By Russell

Hi, I just want to send congratulations on your first issue reaching my prison.

ISSUE NO. 17
1 MIN READ
By Belly

I have a short poem as well as a mindfulness technique called “Distress Tolerance”.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
By Ed

Well, I’m writing this letter in relation to the housing crisis, which is a problem for many inmates trying to find a place to live.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
By Adrielle

I am writing to you about my one and only older sister, Alithea. RIP. It’s been 2 months since I lost you.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
By Timmy

In New South Wales, there were previously three levels of protective custody for vulnerable inmates, such as myself, who have autism spectrum disorder and other mental health issues.

ISSUE NO. 17
1 MIN RED
By Tricia

Hello to everyone in Australia. My name is Tricia. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am serving a life sentence, and, for those of you who don’t know, a life sentence in Pennsylvania means your entire life.

ISSUE NO. 17
3 MIN READ
By Trevor

GROW is a community-based national organisation that works on mental wellbeing using a 12-step program of personal growth, mutual help and support. It operates through weekly peer support groups.

ISSUE NO. 17
2 MIN READ
Previous Editions
ISSUE NO. 7
February 2025

Great Ideas for Prisons

By Kerrin

Look at the bare roofs across our jails, put some solar panels on all of them and turn them all into power stations, effectively reducing power bills everywhere!

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 7
February 2025

Fences Inside and Around Me

By D.

It’s my first time being inside. My anxiety, fear, depression and mental health are heightened with extra volume.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Prison Libraries and a Merry Christmas

By Jack

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember to be kind to one another over the festive season.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Differences at NSW and QLD Prisons

By Belly

The biggest issue is the lack of transparency and continuous changes in direction.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Being Deaf in Prison

By Rebecca

I miss out on small talks such as what other prisoners are really feeling to bigger things such as how to make a complaint against case notes.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Give the Kids a Chance

By CC

I am writing today to draw attention to Youth Crime, and I'm not meaning 16 and 17 year olds. I’m talking about 10, 11 and 12 year olds.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Bukks' Musings

By Bukks

I spent about 13 years at the maximum-security Port Phillip Prison but am now at a medium security, Loddon. I have been here for almost two years now and since coming here have gotten into poetry.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Basic Things From the Buy-Up

By Jeffrey

During a long stay of about 6 months in prison, I came across a few fellow inmates who needed help with sorting their pile(s) of mixed documents which were kept in one or two used envelopes.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

The Cost of Living

By Rocket

As you can see there is not much cash to spend. So there is always someone worse off than you.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

A View From the Inside

By Donna

I thought I could enlighten you on how this prison's day to day works.

3 MIN READ
Get the full paper in print each month.

6-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for six months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $70

12-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for twelve months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $125

Support Australia's First National Prison Newspaper

A place for news and education, expression and hope

Help keep the momentum going. All donations will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. If you would like to pay directly into our bank account to avoid the processing fee, please contact donate@abouttime.org.au. ABN 67 667 331 106.

It's
About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.

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

Donate to About Time

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.