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. 15
October 2025
Donate Here

Culture

Australia’s First Picture Book About Parents in Prison

By
Jacqueline Dinan

A new children’s book addresses the incarceration of parents. It’s titled My Dad’s Gone Away and was written by Andrew Krakouer and Jacqueline Dinan. In the story, Tarah’s dad has gone away, and she doesn’t know where. She imagines he is doing all the things he loves, but, when she asks her mum, everything changes. This heartfelt, honest and sensitively told story explores the challenges faced by a child when their parent is incarcerated. My Dad’s Gone Away sheds light on an unspoken issue and gently encourages children and families to talk about how they feel, prepare for visiting day and bolster their resilience to help pass the time.

This age-appropriate story will help encourage such children to have safe conversations with a trusted adult, whether that’s a family member, caseworker, teacher, social worker, coach or carer. For children whose lives are not affected by parental incarceration, this story should promote empathy and compassion as they become aware of different life experiences.

My Dad’s Gone Away is written from a child’s perspective and is illustrated with care, complemented by soft, warm tones. The story captures the confusion, curiosity and heartache of dealing with missing a parent.

It was created by acclaimed Australian rules footballer the late Andrew Krakouer and former foster carer and host mother Jacqueline Dinan, in collaboration with illustrator Paul Seden. It is a tool to help children feel that they are not alone and to break down stigmas surrounding their circumstances.

An Indigenous girl named Tarah was chosen as the main character to help shine a light on the disproportional incarceration rates incurred by First Nations people in this country. First Nations people account for 3.2 per cent of the Australian population but for 32 per cent of Australia’s incarcerated population.

The book was published by Magabala Books and generously endorsed by Australian singer and songwriter Paul Kelly. My Dad’s Gone Away is a strong, direct and important story, beautifully told and illustrated.

A new children’s book addresses the incarceration of parents. It’s titled My Dad’s Gone Away and was written by Andrew Krakouer and Jacqueline Dinan. In the story, Tarah’s dad has gone away, and she doesn’t know where. She imagines he is doing all the things he loves, but, when she asks her mum, everything changes. This heartfelt, honest and sensitively told story explores the challenges faced by a child when their parent is incarcerated. My Dad’s Gone Away sheds light on an unspoken issue and gently encourages children and families to talk about how they feel, prepare for visiting day and bolster their resilience to help pass the time.

This age-appropriate story will help encourage such children to have safe conversations with a trusted adult, whether that’s a family member, caseworker, teacher, social worker, coach or carer. For children whose lives are not affected by parental incarceration, this story should promote empathy and compassion as they become aware of different life experiences.

My Dad’s Gone Away is written from a child’s perspective and is illustrated with care, complemented by soft, warm tones. The story captures the confusion, curiosity and heartache of dealing with missing a parent.

It was created by acclaimed Australian rules footballer the late Andrew Krakouer and former foster carer and host mother Jacqueline Dinan, in collaboration with illustrator Paul Seden. It is a tool to help children feel that they are not alone and to break down stigmas surrounding their circumstances.

An Indigenous girl named Tarah was chosen as the main character to help shine a light on the disproportional incarceration rates incurred by First Nations people in this country. First Nations people account for 3.2 per cent of the Australian population but for 32 per cent of Australia’s incarcerated population.

The book was published by Magabala Books and generously endorsed by Australian singer and songwriter Paul Kelly. My Dad’s Gone Away is a strong, direct and important story, beautifully told and illustrated.

Aussies Bring Home the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Aussies Bring Home the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Aussies Bring Home the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics

By Mia Abrahams
By Mia Abrahams

The 2024 Paris Olympics started with a splash (literally). The Opening Ceremony featured 90 boats, filled with country teams waving flags, all floating down a rainy river Seine, as the crowd of 300,000 cheered from the riverbanks.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 3

6 MIN READ

What’s on TV Today?

What’s on TV Today?

What’s on TV Today?

By Grace
By Grace

Stuck with free-to-air TV? Here are some great shows to help time fly by.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 13

2 MIN READ

Paper Chained International Art Exhibition

Paper Chained International Art Exhibition

Paper Chained International Art Exhibition

By Damien Linnane
By Damien Linnane

In Sydney in May 2024, Damien Linnane (editor of the prison magazine Paper Chained) held an exhibition of art by people in prison around the world. Linnane managed to obtain over 100 artworks from currently and formerly incarcerated people in eight different countries.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 1

3 MIN READ

Film Review of Wicked Little Letters

Film Review of Wicked Little Letters

Film Review of Wicked Little Letters

By Vincent
By Vincent

Set in the period following ‘The Great War’ (World War I), Wicked Little Letters is a comedic re-telling of true events that took place in Littlehampton, England.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 12

2 MIN READ

Sauces to Transform Your Prison Meals

By Mark

Five recipes from inside.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 22

1 MIN READ

Sports Round Up!

By Goal Mouth

An overview of recent sporting events, including athletics, F1 and soccer.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 22

2 MIN READ

You Can Make Ice Cream in Prison. Here’s How.

By Geoff

All you need is eggs, cream, condensed milk and 24 hours.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 21

2 MIN READ

Sports Round Up!

By Goal Mouth

An overview of recent sporting events, including AFL, F1, football and cricket.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 21

3 MIN READ