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. 13
August 2025

Silence Isn’t Golden

By Garth

In prison, silence isn’t always golden. It’s just another form of the unknown, another form of loss of control, another avenue for the negative thoughts to take.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 13
August 2025

Real Ones Don't Forget

Anonymous

There is a line so many of us here have heard over and over again from inmates going home: “I’ll write to you and put my number on when I get out.” And you never hear from them again.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Feedback to About Time

By Garth

Thanks for the paper – it’s something a lot of us look forward to.

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Sparkling Sober

By Paige

Being sober feels like getting high used to.

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Chasing the Wind

By Kelly

This is one of my many thoughts on all the moments in life I may have taken for granted – of memories of my younger years. And here’s to us all making new memories, whether in our youth or mature years.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Cost of Living Crisis in Prison

Anonymous

I won’t even mention how expensive basic vegetables have gotten for us for the risk of sending somebody into shock.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Prison Visitor Restrictions in NSW

By Micky

The issue I wish to discuss with everyone is something I’m dealing with personally myself right now and I know for a fact I’m not the only one!

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Breaking the Cycle

By Vishal

It gets disheartening but I am determined to break free of this system.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Nowhere to Live

By Tony

If I get to the end of my sentence (another 13 months), then I will be dropped into a motel for three days, then after that, I’m on my own. It doesn’t seem fair.

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Lit a Light of Hope

By Zayne

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.

1 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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