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. 17

December 2025

Donate Here

Legal Corner

Explainer of Prison Offence Laws

Ethan Cassidy

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

This is legal information and not advice.

There are major differences between how offences in prisons are dealt with around Australia. These offences typically range from minor ones, such as keeping an untidy cell, to more serious ones and others that can become criminal charges.

For non-criminal prison offences, the rules for how these are investigated and dealt with are outlined in the various state and territory corrections acts.

These state what type of actions are considered prison offences, who is responsible for investigating whether one has been committed, what burden of proof that it happened must be reached, what punishments can be imposed and whether it is possible to review one of these decisions.

There are major differences between how offences in prisons are dealt with around Australia. These offences typically range from minor ones, such as keeping an untidy cell, to more serious ones and others that can become criminal charges.

For non-criminal prison offences, the rules for how these are investigated and dealt with are outlined in the various state and territory corrections acts.

These state what type of actions are considered prison offences, who is responsible for investigating whether one has been committed, what burden of proof that it happened must be reached, what punishments can be imposed and whether it is possible to review one of these decisions.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 12

2 MIN READ

Laws Around Strip Searches in Prisons

Laws Around Strip Searches in Prisons

Laws Around Strip Searches in Prisons

By Daniel Vansetten
By Daniel Vansetten

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

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 12

4 MIN READ

Legal Q&A

Legal Q&A

Legal Q&A

By Brian
By Brian

My name is Brian. A lot of guys here are talking about new legislation coming in the near future, but I haven’t found it anywhere. It is called “Daniel’s Law”. I was wondering if you could explain it and when it will take effect and who it will apply to?

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 11

3 MIN READ

The Federal Election: Voting and More

The Federal Election: Voting and More

The Federal Election: Voting and More

By About Time
By About Time

The federal election is coming up. It happens about every three years. It’s for electing the government for the whole country – the federal government.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 8

9 MIN READ

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.

FAQs: Security Classifications in Queensland

By Prisoners’ Legal Service

Your security classification impacts which prison you are placed in and the level of security that is imposed on you.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 16

2 MIN READ

Whistleblowing Laws: Protecting Those Who Speak Out

By Human Rights Law Centre lawyers Madeleine Howle and Kieran Pender

Wrongdoing thrives in the darkness. Too often, it is only because of brave people who speak out that the public learns what is happening in the shadows.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 16

3 MIN READ

Legal Q&A

Question from someone imprisoned in VIC

There are lots of reasons why people may get lighter or heavier sentences than someone else who has committed the same crime.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 15

2 MIN READ

What to Do: Mandatory Visa Cancellation Letters

By RACS (Refugee Advice and Casework Service)

You got this letter to say that your visa has been cancelled due to your offending. This means you no longer hold a visa.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 15

4 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 will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. If you would like to pay directly into our bank account to avoid the processing fee, please contact donate@abouttime.org.au. ABN 67 667 331 106.

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.