ISSUE NO. 21
APRIL 2026

Creative

This section publishes creative contributions mostly from currently and formerly incarcerated people. It includes short-stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, and much more.

If you have something creative to submit to us, we would love to read it, or see it, and publish it in About Time – please write to us!

Ethan Cassidy

My Happy Place

The winner from our first Writing Challenge!

By David

There is a place not far from Flinders Street Station, along the bank of the Yarra River, that’s at the centre of everything I love about Melbourne.

ISSUE NO. 21
1 MIN READ
Ethan Cassidy

My Happy Place: Rusty, My Soulmate

The runner-up from our first Writing Challenge!

By Pip

Everyone needs their own happy place. Especially in here. Somewhere to escape the drama and politics of the yard.

ISSUE NO. 21
1 MIN READ
Ethan Cassidy
By Shea

What a joy it can be, to wrench open your mind and find yourself inhabiting a song. To live out a thousand lives, to know the intimacy of a stranger, and experience nostalgia in such a visceral way for times and places you’ve never been to.

ISSUE NO. 21
3 MIN READ
By Nicholas

I hope you all have a place that you can feel your strength from. I wish I had more of these than I do, now he’s gone. Make most of your time people, inside or out – our lives are too short to waste. Find your Happy Place.

ISSUE NO. 21
1 MIN READ
By Trieste

It’s 10am, I am at work deciding if I need coffee to get the jitters, a piece of fruit for some sugary glucose or a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ
By Neale

Maybe the title for this competition should be OUR Happy Place rather than MY Happy Place. As I think it is more about how we approach a place together that determines if we are going to be happy or not.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ
By James

My experience of entering gaol was hazy and blurry. A brick, as they say, is a 10 year term of imprisonment, and getting outta my mind was on my list of things to do, not realising that I would find my true happy place in nature.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ
By Jonathan

Within that club of egos, I had found a friend. He talked to me of glory and made me want to join. So I sent a few gold coins and received a nonsense letter. I must be a member! In a group of names, I am the unclean one, the token unpublished poet; there always must be one.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ
By Anonymous

The straps of his back-pack chaffed and pulled against his shoulders, the weight of each uneven step threatening to topple him back down the slope. His boots crunched the tiny pebbles that slided and slid, plumes of dust flicking into the still air.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ
By Russell

Two words, one name. I was stunned. Gathering my thoughts, I started the mental checklist. Had I pressed the wrong button? No. Was it a stranger answering? No. It was definitely my son, a changed son.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ

Latest

Art From Inside

By Lanie

Our team was blown away by this beautiful painting.

ISSUE NO. 21
1 MIN READ
Lanie

You Don’t Know Your Worth

By Flame

Don't fear my love, everything’s alright. Don't fear my friends, the future looks bright.

ISSUE NO. 21
2 MIN READ
By Caleb

Love’s definition cannot be just one, not one, two or more but a tonne. Love is the greatest quality of them all, a verse written by the poet Paul.

ISSUE NO. 21
1 MIN READ
By Emma-lee

I sit here watching the second-hand ticking by as it slowly keeps passing my time... And just as I thought the world can’t be changed it's an apocalypse of the mind.

ISSUE NO. 21
1 MIN READ

Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Journey in a Poem

By April

Three four walls to sit in. Three four thoughts to think in.

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

A Beacon of Joy

By Denis

In every ripple, her essence I find, a memory cherished, sweetly entwined. Her smile, a memory, forever aglow, like creeks that swell, and never forego.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Good Seed

By RM

Home sounds so sweet to the heart, if only shown from the very start. I only wish for my hands to be freed, don’t beat me up about my past. Coz I truly am a good seed.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Mind Incarceration

By Red Dragon

There's demons in my mind, I'm struggling to think. Life's leaving me behind, as deeper, I sink.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

She'll Be Apples

By Angela

This image depicts the wild woman and the apple tree. It is inspired by the character 'Aofie' in this year's production.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Love Worshipful (a Midnight Repose)

By Jon

Some say Love is overrated. It has no relevance anymore I say. I know more than love unbound, I can make these prayerful sounds.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Boredom

By Bukks

Here we are again, this day is just the same as last, I've done all I can do and yet it seems no time has passed.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

My Heart, My Soul

By Amaka

What filled my days before, I do not know. I have so much love within me, from inside my heart I glow.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Freedom Flight

By Joshua

I stand at my door and watch the birds, as they spread their wings and fly. Oh how wonderful my life would be, if I could fly so high.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

After Darkness Comes Light

By Rachel

When you feel broken and can’t remember who you used to be, please know that person is still inside of you, waiting to be acknowledged and validated. Find a calm place, go inside of your soul. That is where the goodness lies.

3 MIN READ

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

Donate to About Time