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

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Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 4

OCTOBER 2024

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Queensland Becomes First State to Make Painkillers Available in Prison Buy-Ups
The move marks a significant step forward in the provision of healthcare and human rights in prisons.
By Denham Sadler

Queensland has become the first state to allow people in prison to purchase basic painkillers through the canteen buy-up process, marking a significant step forward in the provision of healthcare in the prison system.

ISSUE NO. 4
10 MIN READ
Ike Curtis
By Steve

My name is Steve. I have done 10 years prison time in Long Bay, Grafton, Parramatta, Goulburn, Maitland, Cessnock, Rockhampton, Arthur Gorrie, Borallan, Glen Innes and Silver Water. I got out in 2003 and have remained out ever since.

ISSUE NO. 4
4 MIN READ
By George

After being transferred to a minimum security prison with a fully equipped ceramic studio, I was very excited to have the opportunity, and the time, to challenge my skills and creativity.

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
By Mark

Congratulations on the launch of About Time. I can only imagine how many obstacles you have navigated to successfully sail the product into Australia’s prisons, and from where I sit it was very warmly received by the inmates, security and medical staff that I share time with.

ISSUE NO. 4
3 MIN READ
By Les

Congratulations on your new magazine. I have the second edition, and reading through it I discovered what I had not seen. That was the lack of information supplied by Legal Aid for those with very little money who need legal assistance.

ISSUE NO. 4
4 MIN READ
By Sasha

Hey there. My name is Sash. Today marks my 9th day in custody since my arrest. I'm here this time for driving whilst disqualified. I've just been sentenced yesterday to 10 months with a 5-month non-parole period.

ISSUE NO. 4
6 MIN READ
By Shea

My name is Shea and I am currently just over 5 years into a 22 year sentence for murder. This is my first (and hopefully last) time coming to prison, and even after half a decade behind bars, I’m still coming to terms with all of the various consequences of the fact.

ISSUE NO. 4
5 MIN READ
By Chris

Hi there, my name is Chris and I sit here, again, in P.P.P. with another sentence, with old feelings of loss or sadness. I just had my 39 year old birthday, again thinking about how many I’ve done being locked up.

ISSUE NO. 4
3 MIN READ
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Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for twelve months. Paid upfront.

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Young People and the Law: Latest Updates
From significant policy shifts to delayed facility closures, there have been several important youth justice developments across Australia over the past month.
By Meg Tait

The past month has seen several important developments in youth justice legislation and policy across the country.

ISSUE NO. 4
8 MIN READ
Amnesty International
Around the Country – September 2024
By About Time

The latest in criminal justice around the country, including Queensland Police Officers facing charges after a watchhouse incident, formerly incarcerated women calling for the end of strip searches in prisons and domestic violence law reforms in NSW.

ISSUE NO. 4
1 – 3 MIN READ
Ethan Cassidy
Investigation Into Serco’s Actions Following Incident at Clarence Correctional Centre
By About Time and The National Justice Project

Following a number of complaints from inmates, the NSW Ombudsman investigated Serco’s response to an assault at Clarence Correctional Centre.

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
Linda Doherty

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Self-Belief and Second Chances: An Interview With Jacob Hill From Offploy
Offploy is a social enterprise dedicated to helping people with a conviction history find meaningful employment.
By Felicia Zsha' Mirzze

Jacob Hill, a young entrepreneur who found himself behind bars, discovered an unexpected truth during his time in prison: many of the people he encountered were talented and entrepreneurial but lacked the self-belief to translate their ideas and skills into reality.

ISSUE NO. 4
12 MIN READ
The Cost of Connecting With Loved Ones From Prison
Keeping in contact with loved ones on the outside reduces recidivism, but for many, the costs associated with it means they must sacrifice other basics.
By Kelly

I am a prisoner at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and have been since February 2022. I have no family in Melbourne that can visit me in person. Nor do they drop off property or top up my account with money. I solely rely on my wages from working a full-time job inside the prison.

ISSUE NO. 4
12 MIN READ
'Frame with a Frame' by Jenny, $500, 5501, 75cm x 60cm, acrylic on canvas, available to purchase from Boom Gate Gallery
There’s Always Someone Else Worse Off Than You
By Mark

Imagine being a prisoner of your own body. Unable to sit, stand or walk, looking down at your useless abs, legs and feet as you lie motionless for months.

ISSUE NO. 4
8 MIN READ
'Insanity' by Tony, $600, #5474, 60cm x 70cm, acrylic on canvas, available to purchase from Boom Gate Gallery
Rings of Respect
By Joey

How pleasing it was to witness 206 nations unite in peace & comradeship as their respective athletes showcased miraculous achievements on the world stage. Humanity’s greatest, inspiring us to be more.

ISSUE NO. 4
5 MIN READ
Amada MA

Pitch Your Idea!

Do you have a story you want to share, or an issue you want to investigate?

Pitch it here!

Daughters
A documentary about four young girls and their incarcerated fathers
By Abha Haval

There is a new US documentary out on Netflix in the community. It’s called ‘Daughters’ and takes viewers inside a Washington DC prison where a special program to give daughters a prom experience with their incarcerated fathers takes them on a rollercoaster of emotions.

ISSUE NO. 4
4 MIN READ
Netflix
Batman: Year One
Every hero needs an origin story
By Grace J.

First published in 1987, Batman: Year One follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after 12 years away.

ISSUE NO. 4
4 MIN READ
Freedom of Information (Part One of Two)
A how-to guide on requesting access to your personal information and why it’s important
By Daniel Vansetten

This is the first of a two-part series on Freedom of Information (FOI), (also called Right to Information). In this part, we explain why FOI is important and how to lodge an application for information.

ISSUE NO. 4
9 MIN READ
Leiada Krozjhen

Legal Q&A

Do you have a general legal query that you want answered?

Submit Your Question

Identification
Reprinted and updated from VACRO’s Getting Started: A guide for people leaving prison
By About Time

We all need identification. Identification (or ID) is a document that proves who you are.

ISSUE NO. 4
13 MIN READ
Daria Nepriakhina
Dealing With Mental Health in Prison
Understanding and managing difficult emotions
By Annalise de Groot

Sadness. Stress. Fear. These emotions feel like they are swallowing us whole. When we feel these emotions, it is hard to see anything other than the feeling, especially when in prison. Every emotion has a message behind it.

ISSUE NO. 4
4 MIN READ
Austin Kehmeier
Hitting the Gym: Dumbell Workouts
By Rod Eames and Brian Colclough

This month we will be looking at two exercises that target all of your muscle groups but can be used at various speeds, reps and intensity.

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
Stretch It Out
By The Prison Phoenix Trust

If you’re getting joint pains because of not moving around much then try this routine, which will stretch all your muscles and make you feel better. You don’t need much time or space to do it but it can make a big difference.

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
Depression
Some thoughts from behind bars of one of the world’s most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions
Anonymous

Depression is overrated and we all have to deal with it.

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
Annie Spratt

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Mob
I Feel Like I Belong
By Aaron

I never felt like I belonged until after following my family tree up and finding out I was from a mob in central NSW, Barkindji. I have never felt like I am where I am meant to be.

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
'Circle of Life' by Dylan, $350, #4959, 60cm x 75cm, acrylic on canvas, available to purchase at https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/boom-gate-gallery
Ending Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
By Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

This information from Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service explains the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and some ways we as a community can work towards ending deaths in custody. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of all those who have passed in custody.

ISSUE NO. 4
8 MIN READ
Artwork from The Torch – Issue No. 4
By The Torch

Since 2011, The Torch has been providing art, cultural and arts industry support to Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders in Victoria through its Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program.

ISSUE NO. 4
4 MIN READ
Albert T (Noongar) ‘Connecting with Country’ 2024, acrylic on canvas

Recipes From Inside

By Mark

Recipes submitted from prison, designed to be made with equipment people have access to and with ingredients that can be bought inside.

Read More →

ISSUE NO. 4

4 MIN READ

By Lance

When in jail some don’t want to go home, it’s true. Hard to believe, so I will find out more for you. Are the dudes for real, or a screw loose in the head. They would rather stay in jail, than going home instead.

ISSUE NO. 4
3 MIN READ
By Ashleigh

The voice is beautiful; my lungs fill with a relieved gasp. I expected a prison sentence. A feeling of chest tightening, breath weak, metal and voices. A life of strip searches and beatings.

ISSUE NO. 4
3 MIN READ
By Bukks

The woman of my dreams; she isn’t there. The woman of my dreams; she doesn’t care. The woman of my dreams; she isn’t real. The woman of my dreams knows not how I feel.

ISSUE NO. 4
3 MIN READ
By Lance

Behind cement walls and razor wire, I can see a tall tree – swaying in the breeze it reminds me, the day I’ll be free. Then in come the birds from out of that tree, I watch these birds with envy and I wish it was me.

ISSUE NO. 4
3 MIN READ
By Malsnight

A wee bit of heaven, drifted down from above. A handful of happiness, a heart full of love. The mystery of life, so sacred and sweet, the giver of joy, so deep and complete. Priceless and precious, so loveable, too – the world’s sweetest miracle, baby doll, is you!

ISSUE NO. 4
2 MIN READ
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ISSUE NO. 4

Word Morph

Morph one word into another by changing one letter at a time.

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ISSUE NO. 4

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Discover as many words as possible. A word can only be formed if each letter is side-by-side, above or below, or on the diagonal with the next.

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ISSUE NO. 4

Crossword

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ISSUE NO. 4

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Support Australia's first national prison newspaper

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.

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.