ISSUE NO. 23
JUNE 2026

Experiences

This section publishes stories about individuals’ experiences with the criminal justice system. 

There are so many ways that people have interacted with the system, and so many stories to tell.

Experiences aims to tell those stories, presented as beautiful feature articles. 

Latest

What I Learned After Losing Everything to Addiction

By Jeremy

I’m currently 45 years old and I have spent 19 years of my life in NSW jails, albeit in instalments (not all in one go), because I kept falling for the traps of evil.

ISSUE NO. 23
4 MIN READ
Boom Gate Gallery: ’Lonely Tree’ by York, $250, #5699, 60cm x 100, acrylic on canvas

Calling All Inmates!

By Anonymous

Who would have thought prison would be so noisy. No, not the inmates (although they can be a tad rambunctious at times) – I’m talking about all the bloody announcements!

ISSUE NO. 23
2 MIN READ
’Zebra Line’ by Panda, available to purchase at Boom Gate Gallery

Loving Someone In Prison

By Gabrielle

My partner gave me 24 frozen roses the Valentine’s Day he went to prison.

ISSUE NO. 23
3 MIN READ
‘Cafe Flowers’ by Brendan, available to purchase at Boom Gate Gallery

Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 11
June 2025

Homelessness: Working in a Broken System

By Charlie (not the author’s real name)

I support a number of clients – individuals, couples and families – who are experiencing homelessness. Like so many others in this field, I entered this work because I care deeply about people and community.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 11
June 2025

The Crash That Changed Everything

By Paul Turley

I still remember the haunting words of the old next-door neighbour when he saw it: ‘Young men die in green cars.’ Stupid old bugger, what would he know?

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

The Pain of Motherhood Behind Bars

By Tabitha Lean

There are little reminders all around me of the time I lost from my children’s lives when I went to prison.

6 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

A Letter From Your Kin

By Yung Prodigy

To the mothers navigating the justice system, whether behind prison walls or holding it down on the outside while someone you love is locked away, we see you.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Trying to Vote in Prison

By Damien Linnane

I know that it can sometimes feel like society has forgotten about people in prison, but there are political parties that are supportive of changing things in prison.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

The Day I Met Jonny

By Sam Harris

The thought of spending any time in close contact with Jonny sets my heart racing – and not in a good way.

6 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

And Still We Endure

By Ellie

Each court attendance made me feel sick to my stomach with nervousness as rich strangers decided my husband’s fate – and our future.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 8
March 2025

Reflections From a Prison Teacher

By Paul A MacNamara

Education is not regarded as the most significant risk factor for reoffending but there is an undeniable link between a lack of education and crime.

5 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

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

Help Us Keep Publishing About Time

Without About Time, I don’t know where I would be – Mark, from a prison in Victoria

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.

Australia’s prison population is growing, and our many prisons are spread far and wide.

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We need your help to cover postage for anyone who sends us a letter from the inside.

We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.