ISSUE NO. 20
MARCH 2026

Legal Corner

This section provides people in prison with information about their legal rights and how to make best use of them.

If you have any general legal questions that you would like to be answered, please let us know.

Latest

What Happens to Your Debts While You’re Inside?

By Prisoner Legal Service Queensland

Generally, debts can be put into two categories. First, there are private debts (e.g. from a bank, a landlord, a car dealer, or ‘Afterpay’). Second, there are debts owed to the State (e.g. unpaid fines).

ISSUE NO. 20
2 MIN READ
Alice Pasquale via Unsplash

Confusing Decision Made About You? Maybe FOI Can Help

By Dan Vansetten

The concern for those who are subjected to government decisions is that they often do not get to see the integrity of the information which was considered by the decision-maker and don’t get to check if it’s correct.

ISSUE NO. 20
3 MIN READ

Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 19
February 2026

Be Prepared: New Restrictions on Mobile Phones in Immigration Detention

By Josephine Langbien

New laws mean that immigration detention officers can now confiscate things like mobile phones, iPads and laptops, which were previously allowed in detention centres. If you’re facing time in immigration detention at the end of your sentence, this article gives some practical tips to prepare for the new rules before you go.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 18
January 2026

How to Prepare for Your Defence

This is from a booklet of legal information from an anonymous prisoner.

The criminal justice system deals with proof, not truth. The police and Crown present allegations; the defence rebuts them; the jury decides whether the Crown has met the required standard of proof. “Truth” and “innocence” are not part of the legal equation.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 17
December 2025

Explainer of Prison Offence Laws

By About Time

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.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 16
November 2025

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 16
November 2025

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.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 15
October 2025

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.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 15
October 2025

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.

4 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 14
September 2025

Legal Q&A

Anonymous

If you are charged with breaking a rule in prison, this can result in disciplinary action, in addition to potential criminal charges.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 14
September 2025

DNA Testing in Queensland Under Review

By Prisoners Legal Service

In Queensland, there have been concerns raised about the way DNA evidence is processed and examined in forensic laboratories.

2 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

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

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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