ISSUE NO. 22
MAY 2026

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

Why Mum Can’t Come Home

Stories I tell my children

By Hannah

I am currently remanded and I have two young children. My son is 8 and my daughter is 6. I have never told them that I’m in jail and instead explain to them that I’m at a facility that helps mummys and daddys get their minds and bodies strong again.

I’ve struggled to explain to them the lengthy time periods I’ve spent away from home, so recently I wrote them both a story that tried to explain why I’m not always around.

ISSUE NO. 22
2 MIN READ
Ike Curtis

‘I Try, I Really Do’

By Lynda

Mum I wish you knew how much I care, and how much I miss you when you’re not there.

ISSUE NO. 22
1 MIN READ

From a Mum With Her Son in Jail

By Lorraine

Living grief, as a mother, is waking each day with the knowledge that your child is still here, yet not truly free.

ISSUE NO. 22
2 MIN READ

Handling Family Issues From Prison

By Amos

Family issues trouble you the most while you are in the custody. Maybe you have a spouse or children. Or you may have close relationship with some members of the family. Some of us might have children in different states or overseas.

ISSUE NO. 22
2 MIN READ
By Dane

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

ISSUE NO. 22
2 MIN READ
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.

ISSUE NO. 22
2 MIN READ
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.

ISSUE NO. 22
1 MIN READ
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.

ISSUE NO. 22
2 MIN READ

Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

For Granted

Anonymous

Sometimes we take things for granted, like our freedom. I've only been in prison a short time compared to some, but I still feel the pinch.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

No Judgement

By Debora

I wonder how it will be when we are released to the outside world, which has not stopped since we have been here.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Don’t Give Up: Reading and Writing

By George

After being incarcerated in 2017 at 40 years old, I thought this would be my opportunity to finally learn how to spell.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Finding Solace in Art

By Ethan

When I paint, I'm not in prison anymore. I'm lost for hours in my artwork.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Someone To Talk To

By Kyle

I’d think there are a lot of inmates looking for someone to talk to, for some people it might help with the healing process.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Staying Clean

By Weena

Since having my first ever grandson nearly 3 years ago now, it’s made me realise that I not only want to change, but I need to do it not only for myself but for my family.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

A Letter From the U.S.A!

By Jean

My name is Jean. I am a wiry spitfire, 65 years young, and incarcerated for the past 24 years with a L.W.O.P. (Life Without Parole) sentence.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

We Can Do Better on Health Management

By Alexander

Prison doesn't easily allow outside support to provide the love and care many inmates require, let alone access professional support.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

To Women Behind These Concrete Walls

By D

We have a voice, but through the system, our voices are muted. We are mothers, sisters, daughters, and even grandmothers.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

The Secret to Living is Giving

By Konrad

Our external world has so many options and choices, to have, do and be, we even have greater control of this world, more than we have ever had before, yet we are still suffering.

2 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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