Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Welcome to About Time

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

Your browser window currently does not have enough height, or is zoomed in too far to view our website content correctly. Once the window reaches the minimum required height or zoom percentage, the content will display automatically.

Alternatively, you can learn more via the links below.

Donations via GiveNow

Email

Instagram

LinkedIn

ISSUE NO. 12

AUGUST 2024

Donate Here

Poetry

Rachelle, Not Double 7

By

Shelly (Rachelle)

Shelly writes from Southern Queensland Correctional Centre in Queensland.

Willy Pleasance

Font Size
Font Size
Line Height
Line Height
Dyslexia Friendly
Black & White
Hide Images
Night Mode

Sitting in this cage, barbed wire all around.

Been transported here, but first my wrists are bound.

Heavy metal locked, no chance of breaking free.

Got no chance against one ning, let alone three.

Sent to secure, cause the machine had me flagged.

Sitting there hopeless while my belongings are bagged.

I got my new identity… double seven.

Knowing my chances are slim that I’ll end up in heaven.

Hell’s where I’m headed after the crime I committed.

I knew it was wrong but I still fucking did it.

Sitting alone in my cell so cold and so dark.

See a familiar face come in, I finally get a spark.

That spark slowly fades when I realise that they’re fake.

In here true friends are fucking hard to make.

A rare few you’ll meet worth sharing your time.

The rest are all snakes and you’ll leave them behind.

The screws don’t give a shit, to them you’re just a number.

Think of the lowest of the lowest, and that you’re still under.

Use your time to get clean and stay off the drugs.

Won’t it be worth it for a life of your kid’s kisses and hugs.

Trust me I know even though it’s only my first time.

I’m taken from society while still in my prime.

I’m not able to talk to or to see my son.

Life of drugs and jail also took my mum.

I remember being young and lacking support.

It’s hard to be 13 and hold up the fort.

That’s when life begins to go down and not up.

Try to talk about your problems, get told to shut the fuck up.

One day I’ll start to learn from my mistakes.

Cause it’s not just mine but my family’s hearts I break.

Watch for that day cause I’ll finally soar.

This low life I’m seen as will once be no more.

Maybe one day I will make it to heaven.

I’ll be known as Rachelle, not double 7.

Sitting in this cage, barbed wire all around.

Been transported here, but first my wrists are bound.

Heavy metal locked, no chance of breaking free.

Got no chance against one ning, let alone three.

Sent to secure, cause the machine had me flagged.

Sitting there hopeless while my belongings are bagged.

I got my new identity… double seven.

Knowing my chances are slim that I’ll end up in heaven.

Hell’s where I’m headed after the crime I committed.

I knew it was wrong but I still fucking did it.

Sitting alone in my cell so cold and so dark.

See a familiar face come in, I finally get a spark.

That spark slowly fades when I realise that they’re fake.

In here true friends are fucking hard to make.

A rare few you’ll meet worth sharing your time.

The rest are all snakes and you’ll leave them behind.

The screws don’t give a shit, to them you’re just a number.

Think of the lowest of the lowest, and that you’re still under.

Use your time to get clean and stay off the drugs.

Won’t it be worth it for a life of your kid’s kisses and hugs.

Trust me I know even though it’s only my first time.

I’m taken from society while still in my prime.

I’m not able to talk to or to see my son.

Life of drugs and jail also took my mum.

I remember being young and lacking support.

It’s hard to be 13 and hold up the fort.

That’s when life begins to go down and not up.

Try to talk about your problems, get told to shut the fuck up.

One day I’ll start to learn from my mistakes.

Cause it’s not just mine but my family’s hearts I break.

Watch for that day cause I’ll finally soar.

This low life I’m seen as will once be no more.

Maybe one day I will make it to heaven.

I’ll be known as Rachelle, not double 7.

Leave a Comment

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
0 Comments
Author Name
Comment Time

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. uis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

She'll Be Apples

By Angela

This image depicts the wild woman and the apple tree. It is inspired by the character 'Aofie' in this year's production.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 9

2 MIN READ

Love Worshipful (a Midnight Repose)

By Jon

Some say Love is overrated. It has no relevance anymore I say. I know more than love unbound, I can make these prayerful sounds.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 9

3 MIN READ

Boredom

By Bukks

Here we are again, this day is just the same as last, I've done all I can do and yet it seems no time has passed.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 9

3 MIN READ

My Heart, My Soul

By Amaka

What filled my days before, I do not know. I have so much love within me, from inside my heart I glow.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 9

2 MIN READ

Get the full paper in print each month.

6-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for six months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $70

12-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for twelve months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $125

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.

Support Australia's first national prison newspaper

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help keep the momentum going. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

It's
About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.