Bridges Inside: Sharing Space (September)

Carceral Communion: The Ritual of Sharing Food in Prison

Discussions about prison food typically focus on nutrition, budgets, and standards. However, this Bridges Inside session offers a different perspective, in conversation with members of the About Time Writers' Network (Australia's National prison newspaper). Drawing on personal experience, creative writing, and reflection, this session will explore food as a symbol of memory, identity, connection, and care in custodial settings. Through personal stories and original compositions, the speakers will highlight how individuals interpret food, even in highly regulated environments. From communal to solitary meals, and from recipes from home to prison gardens, buy-ups, and acts of generosity among inmates, food transcends mere sustenance. It becomes the language of community, resilience, and belonging. This discussion, featuring writers with firsthand experience of incarceration, examines how sharing food can embody dignity, resistance, culture, and human connection in places where these things are often hard to maintain.

About the guests

Steve Rothwell spent many years running from the trauma of his incarcerated past until he broke down emotionally and realised he had to not only face the known demons of his past, but also the stuck points that were holding him back: The Devils He Didn't Know. Steve put all his research and writing skills into developing a system that gave him his life back, and nowadays, he is devoted to helping others overcome trauma.

Ashleigh Chapman is a lived experience consultant, mentor, and advocate. Ashleigh draws on her lived experience to advocate for people navigating the justice system and related services, combining peer support, mentoring and systems advocacy to create pathways for change.

Miniature Malekpour is a Juris Doctor candidate at the University of Sydney, lived experience lead at About Time, and a researcher and advocate working at the intersection of criminal justice, lived experience and storytelling. Her work focuses on prison reform, community-based justice initiatives and creating platforms for people with lived experience of incarceration to share their knowledge, creativity and expertise.

Carly Smith is a single mother of three children and a theatre and lighting technician by trade. She was incarcerated in the NSW correctional system for five years and has been living in the community for just over two years while continuing to navigate life after release. Having spent time across several correctional centres, Carly draws on extensive lived experience of prison life. Through those experiences, she developed a strong commitment to advocating for the mental wellbeing, dignity and human rights of people in custody and post-release.

Renee McNab is a passionate lived-experience advocate with more than seven years of experience across the justice, health and community sectors. Drawing on her own experiences of the criminal justice system, she is committed to justice reform, meaningful change and amplifying the voices of people with lived experience. Renee has worked alongside government, justice and health organisations through advisory panels, consultations and service improvement initiatives, bringing a unique perspective and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for people involved in the justice system.

Rafael Rodriguez is a recently released student and emerging writer. He developed a passion for writing while incarcerated and views storytelling as both a creative outlet and a tool for personal growth. Rafael is interested in learning more about the craft of writing and using lived experience to contribute to conversations about justice, rehabilitation and supporting those who are often unheard.

Carolyn Kruger is a member of the About Time Writers' Network, whose writing draws on lived experience of the criminal justice system. Through personal reflection and storytelling, she explores the realities of imprisonment, recovery and life beyond custody.