Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

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

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ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

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Legal Corner

Legal Q&A – Is It Mandatory to Do Courses at Minimum Level Security to Get Parole?

By

John

John writes from Lindisfarne, Tasmania.

Ethan Cassidy

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To About Time,

Is it mandatory to be at minimum security to get parole? A lot of courses are only offered when at minimum and then courses can take six months to complete. I am currently appealing my sentence, but that means I cannot move to a lower security rating. Would I be forced to drop my appeal just to get to minimum security? Is this fair? My parole is due November 12 but I can’t see how I can get it.

To About Time,

Is it mandatory to be at minimum security to get parole? A lot of courses are only offered when at minimum and then courses can take six months to complete. I am currently appealing my sentence, but that means I cannot move to a lower security rating. Would I be forced to drop my appeal just to get to minimum security? Is this fair? My parole is due November 12 but I can’t see how I can get it.

Response from About Time:

Completion of courses and parole

Once someone at prison becomes eligible for parole (which is usually, but not always, after you have served either half of your sentence or at least 6 months of your sentence), then a decision can be made about parole. This is a decision made by the Parole Board.

To make their decision, the Parole Board will get reports from the prison (for example, about any issues with behaviour). They might also get reports from a medical professional such as a psychiatrist.

The Parole Board must consider several things when they are making their decision – this includes whether it is likely the person will re-offend, any efforts the person has made to engage in rehabilitation (which could include any courses the person has completed in prison), and their plans for post-release (which might include housing or employment). So while the Parole Board will take into account whether a person has completed courses, it’s not the only thing they will look at to make a decision about parole.

To get more information or advice about parole, you can speak to the Prisoners’ Legal Service – contact them via mail at:

132-146 Elizabeth Street

HOBART TAS, 7000

or by email at:

prisonerslegalservicetas@gmail.com

Silence May Be Golden, but Is It a ‘Right’?

Silence May Be Golden, but Is It a ‘Right’?

Silence May Be Golden, but Is It a ‘Right’?

By Daniel Vansetten
By Daniel Vansetten

In law, silence is considered a fundamental right that provides fairness in criminal proceedings.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 9

5 MIN READ

Bail: Common Questions

Bail: Common Questions

Bail: Common Questions

By Meg Tait and About Time (with help from Uther Webster & Evans Solicitors and Daniel Vansetten)
By Meg Tait and About Time (with help from Uther Webster & Evans Solicitors and Daniel Vansetten)

Bail is a promise you can make that you will return to court. It means you can stay in the community (instead of jail) until your legal matters finish. If you are being held in custody and you haven’t been found guilty, you may be able to apply for bail.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 3

15 MIN READ

Struggling With Debt? Financial Counselling Might Help!

Struggling With Debt? Financial Counselling Might Help!

Struggling With Debt? Financial Counselling Might Help!

By About Time
By About Time

Financial counsellors are skilled professionals who provide advice and support to people struggling with bills and debt.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 6

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

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Silence May Be Golden, but Is It a ‘Right’?

By Daniel Vansetten

In law, silence is considered a fundamental right that provides fairness in criminal proceedings.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 9

5 MIN READ

Common Human Rights Issues in Prison

By Prisoners’ Legal Service (Queensland)

This article discusses some of the human rights that may be relevant in prison with reference to human rights protections under the Human Rights Act 2019 (QLD) in Queensland.

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 8

6 MIN READ

Legal Q&A – No Body, No Parole

By About Time

I wonder if you could explain the new "No Body No Parole" law in New South Wales, where now people charged with murder or manslaughter need letters from the head of police?

Legal Corner

ISSUE NO. 8

3 MIN READ

The Federal Election: Voting and More

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

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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.

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