IRL Prison Solidarity Network

IRL coordinates a continent-wide letter writing program that is open to people inside prisons in all states and territories.


Narrm (Melbourne) letter writing group: [email protected]Gadigal/Wangal Nura (Sydney) letter writing group: [email protected]Jagera & Turrbal Country (Brisbane) letter writing group: [email protected]


If you have a friend or a family member inside prison across so-called Australia that would like to be written to, contact us at [email protected].


Click here to download our guide to letter writing alongside people in prison.


Gadigal/Wangal Nura (Sydney):

Date: Saturday 20 July, 2024
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: Frontyard Projects, 228 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville
Accessibility: Access information sent via email
RSVP via email: [email protected]
IRL Prison Solidarity Network holds monthly get-togethers where we write to people inside. These monthly sessions are for people who write regularly, people who have been in prison, or friends or family of people inside. Come have a tea, snacks and a chat while we write together.New and first-time letter writers are welcome to come along and bring a friend. If you are a new letter writer, please arrive at 2pm. At the start of the session, we will explore why we write, ethical considerations when writing to people inside, and you will have a chance to send one-off letters of solidarity.On stolen unceded Gadigal and Wangal lands.Click here to subscribe to the calendar for reminders.


Jagera & Turrbal Country (Magandjin/Brisbane):

Date: Saturday 9 November 2024
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Location: The Edge at the State Library of Queensland, level 1, window bay 6C
Accessibility: The meeting space and toilets are wheelchair accessible.
RSVP via email: [email protected]
IRL Prison Solidarity Network holds monthly meet-ups where we write to friends inside. These sessions are for anyone currently writing to people inside and also for new writers/artists interested in engaging in prison solidarity work.We welcome anyone who has been in prison, or friends or family of people inside, to join these meet-ups. Come along for snacks and a chat while we write together.For first-time writers, at the start of the session we will explore why we write, as well as ethical considerations when writing to people inside. You will have the chance to write one-off letters of solidarity and collectively reflect on them.On stolen lands of Jagera & Turrbal Peoples.


Narrm (Melbourne):

Our next in-person letter writing session in Narrm will be dedicated to writing holiday cards for our friends inside.Date: Saturday 30th November 2024
Time: 11am - 1pm
Location: Catalyst, 144 Sydney Rd, Coburg
Accessibility: There is a moderate amount of traffic noise that is present when using this space. Entry via the front door of the 144 building is wheelchair accessible. Toilet is wheelchair accessible with handrails. There are couches and chairs in the main workshop space. We encourage everyone to wear masks and masks will also be provided. Air filter used.
RSVP via email: [email protected]
IRL Letter Writing Prison Solidarity Network holds monthly get-togethers where we write to friends inside.The holiday period can be an incredibly lonely experience for our friends inside, so it’s crucial that we send as much love and solidarity as possible! Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this session. We encourage people to wear masks, these will also be provided.We will be sending festive cards to all of our friends inside. We will provide cards and writing materials but also please feel free to bring along your own cards, coloured pencils/pens and watercolours.Snacks and tea will be provided.On stolen lands of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nations.


Online:

LETTER WRITING ALONGSIDE PEOPLE IN PRISON OnlineNew writers welcome across the continent!Date: Thursday 24th October
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm (AEST, standard time), 7:30pm-9:00pm (AEDT, daylight saving time)
Location: Online (Zoom link will be sent 30 minutes prior to start time)
Accessibility: Auto-generated captions will be used. We do not have Auslan interpreting available.
RSVP via email: [email protected]
IRL Letter Writing holds monthly meet-ups where we write to friends inside.These monthly sessions are for anyone that is currently writing to people inside, or for new writers/artists interested in engaging in prison solidarity work.We welcome all people who have been in prison, or friends or family of people inside, to join these meet-ups. Come and have a tea and a chat while we write online together.For first-time writers at the start of the session we will explore why we write, as well as ethical considerations when writing to people inside. Towards the end of the session you will have a chance to write one-off letters of solidarity and there will be time for collective reflection.Hosted on the stolen lands of the Waanyi Peoples