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

ISSUE NO. 10

May 2025

Donate Here

Poetry

Good Seed

By

RM

RM writes from Brisbane Correctional Centre in Queensland.

‘End of the Line’ by Les, 1999, graphite and charcoal on paper, Boom Gate Gallery

The more time I spend in this cell,

The more the devil can control his hell.

Let me be free from all this pain and hate,

But sometimes I just think it too late,

Why does all this pain happen to me?

Can this demon just set me free,

It feels as though my hands are tied,

I think about my babies. Only to break down and cry,

I try over and over, again and again,

Please believe me my honourable friend,

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.

The more time I spend in this cell,

The more the devil can control his hell.

Let me be free from all this pain and hate,

But sometimes I just think it too late,

Why does all this pain happen to me?

Can this demon just set me free,

It feels as though my hands are tied,

I think about my babies. Only to break down and cry,

I try over and over, again and again,

Please believe me my honourable friend,

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.

How to Make Bannoffee Pie in a Secure Unit

By Garth

A sweet treat using buy-up staples.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

I Am Tired

By Anthony

Tired from being told what to do. I am tired of love, tired of being deemed guilty, tired of my own remorse. I am tired of my own self-doubt, my own shadows and especially tired of my own face.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

I Hate You, Crystal Meth

By Mackenzie

Hate’s a strong word, but for you it’s reserved. I hate what you’ve taken from me, my parents, my childhood and my glee.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

Twelve Years Trying to Patch Up My Soul

By Abynei

My blue eyes look so drained, but I’m strong, I’ll make it through.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ