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. 5
November 2024

Need for Day to Day Healthcare Support

By Alexander

Prison is difficult enough when one is fit and healthy, it is almost impossible to get through when one is very unwell. I don't want inmates to experience unnecessary pain and discomfort as I did.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Fundraising From the Inside

Written on behalf of classmates at South Coast CC Intensive Learning Centre.

I thought I could write in to you so it can get posted in the newspaper and with any luck get some boys in any centre to push for a fundraiser for a local charity near them. It’s a great cause and everyone benefits from it.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

About Time Around Australia

By Jason

I just saw you on ABC News talking about a newspaper for prisoners. I didn’t see the entire interview so I was left wondering a few things.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Living Expenses in Prison

By Bradley

Our pay each week has been kept minimum for quite some time (years) despite prisoners raising their voice, there’s nothing being done about it.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Delusional Nut-Nut Club

By David

Have you ever been accused of being “nuts”? Have they told you that you are “crazy”? That you need to “get help” – meaning you need to see a psychiatrist?

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

What I Learnt About Buddhism

By George

I stumbled across Buddhist meditation in 2017 where I met Hojun, the Buddhist chaplain/monk who led the meditation and spiritual discussion. Since then, thanks to Hojun, I feel I have changed mentally and spiritually in nearly every way.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Another Housing Crisis

By Kelly

I was due for parole in March, and my parole is approved but there is no housing for me to go to.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

How Can We Afford to Connect With Family?

By Kerrin

I only have a short stint of a few months, but like most find myself forced to become distant from my family, mainly due to unaffordable call rates.

3 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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