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

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ISSUE NO. 25

August 2026

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Poetry

Jailhouse Blues

By

Abdullah

Abdullah writes from a prison in NSW.

'Inside Out Outside In' by Megan, $550, #5772, 60cm x 75cm, acrylic on canvas - Boom Gate Gallery

Another day another cell

Can’t believe I’m locked in a cell

Imagine this is what it’s like living in hell

Lawyers to pay but no money and nothing to sell!

Heart of pain and disappointment, hit rockbottom once again I fell

Can’t even talk about it without starting to dwell.

Locked in at night nothing to do but pray and write

Counting down the days I have freedom in sight

Until that day comes I have demons I need to fight!

Suffocated by darkness it’s a struggle to see any light

Will the C/O’s ever understand the cuffs are too tight?

Too much on my mind but can’t let myself go insane!

So I push it all aside to focus on physical and mental gain

Put my body through extreme pain and go all in every time I train

Muscles getting bigger but depression never leaves my brain!

At least I don’t let it get the best of me and put a dirty needle in my vein.

Hardest part about being in prison is being away from my son!

Missing out on memories and not giving him any fun

I have many reasons to be out but he will always be my number one!

I’ll never forget when I saw him last he screamed “Daddy” as he started to run

My biggest regret is losing him just after I walked out on his mum.

Never have anyone visit, write back or even answer the phone

Since 2022 all I’ve been doing is trying to go home

Never understood why the government make sure I’m always alone!

Why is my happiness and freedom the target in their firing zone

Everywhere I go they harass me, it’s like I’m watched from a drone.

But hopefully soon I’ll finally get out and have a chance to be free!

Part of me still believes that will only happen if I get on a plane and flee

Don’t understand why it’s such a problem to just leave me be

I just want to live in peace and happiness and get to be me.

For now I have a five month wait for a hearing due to a not guilty plea.

Another day another cell

Can’t believe I’m locked in a cell

Imagine this is what it’s like living in hell

Lawyers to pay but no money and nothing to sell!

Heart of pain and disappointment, hit rockbottom once again I fell

Can’t even talk about it without starting to dwell.

Locked in at night nothing to do but pray and write

Counting down the days I have freedom in sight

Until that day comes I have demons I need to fight!

Suffocated by darkness it’s a struggle to see any light

Will the C/O’s ever understand the cuffs are too tight?

Too much on my mind but can’t let myself go insane!

So I push it all aside to focus on physical and mental gain

Put my body through extreme pain and go all in every time I train

Muscles getting bigger but depression never leaves my brain!

At least I don’t let it get the best of me and put a dirty needle in my vein.

Hardest part about being in prison is being away from my son!

Missing out on memories and not giving him any fun

I have many reasons to be out but he will always be my number one!

I’ll never forget when I saw him last he screamed “Daddy” as he started to run

My biggest regret is losing him just after I walked out on his mum.

Never have anyone visit, write back or even answer the phone

Since 2022 all I’ve been doing is trying to go home

Never understood why the government make sure I’m always alone!

Why is my happiness and freedom the target in their firing zone

Everywhere I go they harass me, it’s like I’m watched from a drone.

But hopefully soon I’ll finally get out and have a chance to be free!

Part of me still believes that will only happen if I get on a plane and flee

Don’t understand why it’s such a problem to just leave me be

I just want to live in peace and happiness and get to be me.

For now I have a five month wait for a hearing due to a not guilty plea.

This
piece
was originally printed in the
August 2026
edition of About Time.

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