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

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ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025
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Culture

Visions Through the Eyes of a Palestinian Prisoner

Damien Linnane is the editor of Paper Chained, a quarterly journal for art and writing which is made available to all people in NSW prisons. Damien was sentenced to two years in prison in 2015 for crimes that were described by the sentencing magistrate as an act of vigilantism. During his sentence he wrote a crime novel, Scarred, and then taught himself to draw. He is currently completing a PhD on the history of prison newsletters in Australia.

Damien Linnane with painting from artist Mohannad Al Azzeh

The catalyst for one of the biggest art exhibitions I’ve been involved with was a letter to Paper Chained. One of my regular contributors, Khalil, asked me if I could write about the ongoing situation in Palestine for an upcoming issue.

However, as Paper Chained is a magazine aimed at prisoners, we only write about issues relating to prison and the criminal legal system. The letter, however, got me thinking about what it must be like being a Palestinian in an Israeli prison.

I put out a lot of feelers, and eventually I found a former prisoner willing to speak about it; you can read that interview in issue 16 of Paper Chained. That person, Mohannad Al Azzeh, told an inspiring story about how he turned to art during his period of incarceration, even though Palestinians are not allowed to make art in Israeli prisons. Most of his art was found and destroyed by guards, however, some of it was smuggled out, and Mohannad also turned to art again following his release, as a form of art therapy to help address his PTSD from imprisonment.

Knowing what an incredibly powerful story he had – not to mention unique artworks – after the interview I asked Mohannad if he would be interested in having art exhibited in Australia.

That exhibition was launched on November 22nd by Senator David Shoebridge to a packed crowd. ARIA-Award winning rapper Dobby performed at the opening while people were able to see Mohannad’s original art made while at Ofer Prison in the West Bank, the drawings he made as art therapy, and the paintings he created about his imprisonment specifically for the show.

Visions Through the Eyes of a Palestinian Prisoner ran from November 20-30 at The Creator Incubator in Newcastle. The exhibition will tour to its second and final location at Sydney Street Gallery in Marrickville from April 14-20, 2026.

The catalyst for one of the biggest art exhibitions I’ve been involved with was a letter to Paper Chained. One of my regular contributors, Khalil, asked me if I could write about the ongoing situation in Palestine for an upcoming issue.

However, as Paper Chained is a magazine aimed at prisoners, we only write about issues relating to prison and the criminal legal system. The letter, however, got me thinking about what it must be like being a Palestinian in an Israeli prison.

I put out a lot of feelers, and eventually I found a former prisoner willing to speak about it; you can read that interview in issue 16 of Paper Chained. That person, Mohannad Al Azzeh, told an inspiring story about how he turned to art during his period of incarceration, even though Palestinians are not allowed to make art in Israeli prisons. Most of his art was found and destroyed by guards, however, some of it was smuggled out, and Mohannad also turned to art again following his release, as a form of art therapy to help address his PTSD from imprisonment.

Knowing what an incredibly powerful story he had – not to mention unique artworks – after the interview I asked Mohannad if he would be interested in having art exhibited in Australia.

That exhibition was launched on November 22nd by Senator David Shoebridge to a packed crowd. ARIA-Award winning rapper Dobby performed at the opening while people were able to see Mohannad’s original art made while at Ofer Prison in the West Bank, the drawings he made as art therapy, and the paintings he created about his imprisonment specifically for the show.

Visions Through the Eyes of a Palestinian Prisoner ran from November 20-30 at The Creator Incubator in Newcastle. The exhibition will tour to its second and final location at Sydney Street Gallery in Marrickville from April 14-20, 2026.

Your Armchair Guide to Summer Sport

Your Armchair Guide to Summer Sport

Your Armchair Guide to Summer Sport

By Goal Mouth
By Goal Mouth

An overview of recent sporting events, including horse racing, motor racing, AFLW and cricket.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 17

3 MIN READ

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

By Alexander
By Alexander

The genre is crime fiction, set in the Australian outback, in rural, sometimes insular communities where everyone seems to know everyone else. This is set in the outback NSW town of Cobb where a woman, a local school teacher, has been stoned to death.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 7

3 MIN READ

Paper Chained Prison Art Exhibition Goes National!

Paper Chained Prison Art Exhibition Goes National!

Paper Chained Prison Art Exhibition Goes National!

By Damien Linnane
By Damien Linnane

After running Australia’s first ever international prison art exhibition in Sydney in May last year, it was great to be able to finally tour the works to another city. We plan to bring the art to a new city each year.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 12

2 MIN READ

Parkrun Behind Bars: How a Weekly 5km Is Building Community in Australian Prisons

By Denham Sadler

Every Saturday morning in four prisons around the country, a 5km fun run takes place.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 20

6 MIN READ

The Potential of Video Games in Prison

By Stacey Stokes

Video games can be helpful for people both inside and leaving prison. They’re not only entertaining, but they can help people deal with the trauma of prison and re-entry in the community.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 19

2 MIN READ

Sports Round Up

By Goal Mouth

An overview of recent sporting events, including AFLW, motor racing, soccer and cricket.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 18

3 MIN READ

Straight Outta Risdon – Bars Behind Bars

By Sara

It takes real courage to grab the mic and share your story, especially in front of fellow inmates and complete strangers. Bars Behind Bars is more than a music program at Risdon Prison; it’s a creative outlet that’s uncovering raw talent and powerful voices.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 18

3 MIN READ