ISSUE NO. 20
MARCH 2026

Contributors

Daniel Vansetten

Daniel Vansetten spent around 12 years in prison and has since gone on to study a Bachelor of Law at university. He uses his lived experience and study to advocate for prison reform through volunteering with various organisations as well as writing for About Time and producing podcasts with former inmates.

ISSUE NO. 15
October 2025

Parole Undermined

By Daniel Vansetten

Ideally, parole should enhance rehabilitation and reintegration. In the recent decade, however, rules restricting the granting of parole and a lack of housing options undermine these intended benefits.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

Christmas Cards in Solidarity

By Daniel Vansetten

Nothing warms my heart more than the selflessness of good people doing good deeds for our sisters and brothers in prison.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 18
January 2026

Impacts of Proposed New Freedom of Information Laws

By Daniel Vansetten

Obtaining information from federal agencies is about to become subject to stricter rules under the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 (Cth).

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 3
September 2024

Chalking Up the Wins

By Daniel Vansetten

While he has been imprisoned on three separate occasions, 8-ball has given Paolo the focus and sense of community to move forward on the right path.  

10 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 15
October 2025

Using Your Voice for Change

By Daniel Vansetten

Shane Cuthbert was once in prison – now he is in politics, fighting for rights of the criminalised.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 16
November 2025

Living With Autism in Prison

By Ashleigh Chapman and Dan Vansetten

Prisons de-individualise and dehumanise people. This is often more apparent for people who already do not fit the mold of a “normal person”, such as those with autism spectrum disorder (autism).

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 4
October 2024

Freedom of Information (Part One of Two)

By Daniel Vansetten

This is the first of a two-part series on Freedom of Information (FOI), (also called Right to Information). In this part, we explain why FOI is important and how to lodge an application for information.

9 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Freedom of Information (Part Two): Review Options

By Daniel Vansetten

This is the second part of a two-part series on Freedom of Information (or Right to Information) laws. This part discusses ‘review processes’ – that is, what can be done if you are unhappy with the FOI decision, particularly if you were refused information and you think this was incorrect.

10 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 12
July 2025

Laws Around Strip Searches in Prisons

By Daniel Vansetten

Strip searching is a security practice purportedly used by prison authorities to prevent drugs and other contraband from entering prisons.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 20
March 2026

Confusing Decision Made About You? Maybe FOI Can Help

By Dan Vansetten

The concern for those who are subjected to government decisions is that they often do not get to see the integrity of the information which was considered by the decision-maker and don’t get to check if it’s correct.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Critical Thinking & The Art of Persuasion

By Daniel Vansetten

Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question what others tell you, what you read, hear or see. You can use critical thinking to analyse what someone is trying to get you to do, and whether you should do it or not based on what they’re telling you.

8 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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