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

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ISSUE NO. 21

April 2026

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Creative

My Happy Place: Not Being Defeated by Prison

A finalist from our first Writing Challenge!

By

Stephanie

Stephanie writes from a prison in WA.

Ethan Cassidy

I know a long time ago, I never imagined my life to be like this. I have three beautiful children ages from 4 years old to 16 years old. I’ve always been a good mum doing everything I could to provide for them, then one day I met up with a friend that I knew from years ago. It was during Covid and I unexpectedly fell in love.

I started to see this man more often. Before you know it, I was clouded by the warning signs. I couldn’t take my children with me as their father, my ex, wouldn’t allow it. Months had passed and this man was out on bail and deported from Thailand. He decided to skip court and we went on the run up north for three and a half years. I would come back for Perth to see my kids every three weeks. I’ve done so many things which I regret. But one day his luck ran out and the police found us, and he was sent to jail.

Three months later, I was arrested and now I face the harsh reality of my poor choices. But I struggled for a long time, I still do. I have done many courses and I’m determined to right my wrongs. The biggest victims are my children. They never asked for this, they are the ones impacted by my wrong doings – and for that I’m so broken. I had a community that I loved and most of all the three most amazing children – to hurt you in such a way by my absence is shameful – but I am comforted knowing that I will not only better my life, I can better it for them by promising to do better, to help my community.

Seeking help inside and outside when I feel down, I remember that I’m strong, because I have got this far. I’m worth it, my children are worth it. I went through things I could never wish on others. But it has taught me that I can see through the forest. Trees no longer block my clarity. I am a changed woman. Prison will not defeat me. I can come out of this with so much knowledge, courage and power to trail blaze my future path. I do believe I will never come back – my mind is strong.

My happy place is knowing inside my heart that I will do better for me. I’ll see the world in a different way.

I know a long time ago, I never imagined my life to be like this. I have three beautiful children ages from 4 years old to 16 years old. I’ve always been a good mum doing everything I could to provide for them, then one day I met up with a friend that I knew from years ago. It was during Covid and I unexpectedly fell in love.

I started to see this man more often. Before you know it, I was clouded by the warning signs. I couldn’t take my children with me as their father, my ex, wouldn’t allow it. Months had passed and this man was out on bail and deported from Thailand. He decided to skip court and we went on the run up north for three and a half years. I would come back for Perth to see my kids every three weeks. I’ve done so many things which I regret. But one day his luck ran out and the police found us, and he was sent to jail.

Three months later, I was arrested and now I face the harsh reality of my poor choices. But I struggled for a long time, I still do. I have done many courses and I’m determined to right my wrongs. The biggest victims are my children. They never asked for this, they are the ones impacted by my wrong doings – and for that I’m so broken. I had a community that I loved and most of all the three most amazing children – to hurt you in such a way by my absence is shameful – but I am comforted knowing that I will not only better my life, I can better it for them by promising to do better, to help my community.

Seeking help inside and outside when I feel down, I remember that I’m strong, because I have got this far. I’m worth it, my children are worth it. I went through things I could never wish on others. But it has taught me that I can see through the forest. Trees no longer block my clarity. I am a changed woman. Prison will not defeat me. I can come out of this with so much knowledge, courage and power to trail blaze my future path. I do believe I will never come back – my mind is strong.

My happy place is knowing inside my heart that I will do better for me. I’ll see the world in a different way.

‘Love is Rebuilding My Life’

By Phillip

There’s irony, hypocrisy, fallacy, a vast ocean of distance to cross. The “saint”, the “sinner”, it’s lunacy, that the ignorant could save the lost.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

Methfairytale

By Karie

I’m not belle of the ball, not the very least, but we have something in common, I’m in love with a beast. But the beast is not a person but a drug that I call meth, I’ve been talking to myself for hours, I’m running out of breath.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 22

1 MIN READ

Nostalgia

By Dennis

Nostalgia is a gentle haze, a soft and fading, golden maze, where time itself begins to blur, and memory’s touch is sweet and pure.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 22

1 MIN READ

Art From Inside

By Lanie

Our team was blown away by this beautiful painting.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ