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

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ISSUE NO. 19

February 2026

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Poetry

Sound Advice

By

A.S.P.

A.S.P. writes from a prison in NSW.

Skil Seven via Unsplash

Life is only short my son, with so many paths to take,

Life is an uphill struggle, with every step you make.

That’s why you must treasure life, with every second of the day,

because you may never know, when it’s your turn to go away.

See the good things in life, and never let them go,

I’ll give you the paddles, but you’ll have to row.

It will not be easy though, because life is one big test,

but no one can ask for more, once you‘ve given your best.

Always be kind to others, and respect their point of view,

if you show consideration, they’ll do the same for you.

Never take freedom for granted, of one thing you can be sure,

there are better places to be, than behind a prison wall.

Life is so much a gamble, forever throwing the dice,

I haven’t a great deal to offer, only some sound advice.

But each night I do pray, that when I’ve passed away,

I’ve helped to make your life happy, in each and every way

Life is only short my son, with so many paths to take,

Life is an uphill struggle, with every step you make.

That’s why you must treasure life, with every second of the day,

because you may never know, when it’s your turn to go away.

See the good things in life, and never let them go,

I’ll give you the paddles, but you’ll have to row.

It will not be easy though, because life is one big test,

but no one can ask for more, once you‘ve given your best.

Always be kind to others, and respect their point of view,

if you show consideration, they’ll do the same for you.

Never take freedom for granted, of one thing you can be sure,

there are better places to be, than behind a prison wall.

Life is so much a gamble, forever throwing the dice,

I haven’t a great deal to offer, only some sound advice.

But each night I do pray, that when I’ve passed away,

I’ve helped to make your life happy, in each and every way

Falling Like Angels

By Daniel

The pain that I feel, this place that I’m in, these four walls closing in…

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

As This Time Comes to an End

By Punkin

As this time comes to an end, I wonder which way the next will bend. The earth and moon will do their thing, I’ll embrace everything.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

‘God, I Am Deeply Sorry’: A Poem for the Prisoners We’ve Lost

By Triste

To all the prisoners who have ever spent time away from the ones they love.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

1 MIN READ

‘Tingers’ and the Squirrel Box

By Sara

In Creative Learning we get to see some amazing stuff made by talented people. The best part is hearing the stories behind how creative projects have come to life.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

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.