Australia's National Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 12
JULY 2025

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
Laws Around Strip Searches in Prisons
By Daniel Vansetten

Strip searching is a security practice purportedly used by prison authorities to prevent drugs and other contraband from entering prisons.

ISSUE NO. 12
4 MIN READ
Legal Q&A – Is It Mandatory to Do Courses at Minimum Level Security to Get Parole?
By John

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.

ISSUE NO. 12
2 MIN READ
Ethan Cassidy
Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 7

February 2025

Do You Have a Right to Legal Representation?

By Daniel Vansetten

If you believe your right to a fair trial has not been provided, you should seek advice from a lawyer.

5 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

Struggling With Debt? Financial Counselling Might Help!

By About Time

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

3 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

Around the Country: Parole

By Fitzroy Legal Service, Prisoners Legal Service (NSW Legal Aid), Prisoners Legal Service (QLD) and About Time

Parole is a process that gives some people the ability to get out of prison and serve the last part of their sentence in the community, under the supervision of Community Corrections (which used to be known as Probation and Parole).

10 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 5

November 2024

Legal Q&A: DSP After Prison

From Al

What is the legal sentence period after which an inmate must reapply for the DSP?

2 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 5

November 2024

Freedom of Information (Part Two): Review Options

By Daniel Vansetten

This is the second part of a two-part series on Freedom of Information (or Right to Information) laws. This part discusses ‘review processes’ – that is, what can be done if you are unhappy with the FOI decision, particularly if you were refused information and you think this was incorrect.

10 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 4

October 2024

Freedom of Information (Part One of Two)

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.

9 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 3

September 2024

Bail: Common Questions

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.

15 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 2

August 2024

What You Need to Know About OPCAT

By Andreea Lachsz

When people are imprisoned, they lose their freedom, but they do not lose all of their human rights. International human rights law makes this very clear.

9 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 2

August 2024

How to Complain to the Ombudsman

By About Time

The Ombudsman is an independent organisation that oversees complaints against government decisions and actions. Each state/territory has their own Ombudsman. The Ombudsman responds to a complaint by investigating from both sides what has happened and why.

8 MIN READ

ISSUE NO. 1

July 2024

Welcome to the Legal Corner

By About Time

Through these articles, we provide information on relevant areas of law. This first article provides basic information to make it easier for family and friends to support you. There are differences in the ways the systems operate depending on where you’re located (VIC, NSW, ACT or TAS), so we hope this is useful and relevant to where you are.

7 MIN READ

Legal Q&A

Do you have a general legal query that you want answered?
Is  there an area of law that you think people inside should know more about? Submit your question in the provided form, and we might publish an answer in the paper.

Submit Your Question

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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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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.

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