Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

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

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 15

October 2025

Donate Here

Culture

Australia’s First Picture Book About Parents in Prison

By

Jacqueline Dinan

Font Size
Font Size
Line Height
Line Height
Dyslexia Friendly
Black & White
Hide Images
Night Mode

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this article contains a name and image of a deceased person.

A new children’s book addresses the incarceration of parents. It’s titled My Dad’s Gone Away and was written by Andrew Krakouer and Jacqueline Dinan. In the story, Tarah’s dad has gone away, and she doesn’t know where. She imagines he is doing all the things he loves, but, when she asks her mum, everything changes. This heartfelt, honest and sensitively told story explores the challenges faced by a child when their parent is incarcerated. My Dad’s Gone Away sheds light on an unspoken issue and gently encourages children and families to talk about how they feel, prepare for visiting day and bolster their resilience to help pass the time.

This age-appropriate story will help encourage such children to have safe conversations with a trusted adult, whether that’s a family member, caseworker, teacher, social worker, coach or carer. For children whose lives are not affected by parental incarceration, this story should promote empathy and compassion as they become aware of different life experiences.

My Dad’s Gone Away is written from a child’s perspective and is illustrated with care, complemented by soft, warm tones. The story captures the confusion, curiosity and heartache of dealing with missing a parent.

It was created by acclaimed Australian rules footballer the late Andrew Krakouer and former foster carer and host mother Jacqueline Dinan, in collaboration with illustrator Paul Seden. It is a tool to help children feel that they are not alone and to break down stigmas surrounding their circumstances.

An Indigenous girl named Tarah was chosen as the main character to help shine a light on the disproportional incarceration rates incurred by First Nations people in this country. First Nations people account for 3.2 per cent of the Australian population but for 32 per cent of Australia’s incarcerated population.

The book was published by Magabala Books and generously endorsed by Australian singer and songwriter Paul Kelly. My Dad’s Gone Away is a strong, direct and important story, beautifully told and illustrated.

A new children’s book addresses the incarceration of parents. It’s titled My Dad’s Gone Away and was written by Andrew Krakouer and Jacqueline Dinan. In the story, Tarah’s dad has gone away, and she doesn’t know where. She imagines he is doing all the things he loves, but, when she asks her mum, everything changes. This heartfelt, honest and sensitively told story explores the challenges faced by a child when their parent is incarcerated. My Dad’s Gone Away sheds light on an unspoken issue and gently encourages children and families to talk about how they feel, prepare for visiting day and bolster their resilience to help pass the time.

This age-appropriate story will help encourage such children to have safe conversations with a trusted adult, whether that’s a family member, caseworker, teacher, social worker, coach or carer. For children whose lives are not affected by parental incarceration, this story should promote empathy and compassion as they become aware of different life experiences.

My Dad’s Gone Away is written from a child’s perspective and is illustrated with care, complemented by soft, warm tones. The story captures the confusion, curiosity and heartache of dealing with missing a parent.

It was created by acclaimed Australian rules footballer the late Andrew Krakouer and former foster carer and host mother Jacqueline Dinan, in collaboration with illustrator Paul Seden. It is a tool to help children feel that they are not alone and to break down stigmas surrounding their circumstances.

An Indigenous girl named Tarah was chosen as the main character to help shine a light on the disproportional incarceration rates incurred by First Nations people in this country. First Nations people account for 3.2 per cent of the Australian population but for 32 per cent of Australia’s incarcerated population.

The book was published by Magabala Books and generously endorsed by Australian singer and songwriter Paul Kelly. My Dad’s Gone Away is a strong, direct and important story, beautifully told and illustrated.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Reviewed by Mark
Reviewed by Mark

I've read thousands of novels over the last fifty-odd years and not one of them was romance, but while I'm trying new things – like paraplegia and prison – I might as well add in a romance novel to my life experience.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 8

3 MIN READ

About Time Book Club: Archer’s Voice

About Time Book Club: Archer’s Voice

About Time Book Club: Archer’s Voice

By About Time
By About Time

This month, we’re reading Archer’s Voice, featuring our very own interview with the author, Mia Sheridan. Archer’s Voice is a New York Times bestselling romance novel. The novel centres on Archer Hale, a reclusive and mute young man with a troubled past, and Bree Prescott, a woman trying to escape her own traumatic history.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 5

7 MIN READ

Sports Round Up!

Sports Round Up!

Sports Round Up!

By Goal Mouth
By Goal Mouth

A collection of sports news from the past month, including Brisbane possibly being our new sporting capital, Aussie women finding lots of wins in Cricket and loutish crowd behaviour marring the Ryder Cup.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 16

5 MIN READ

Artists With Conviction Celebrates 15 Years!

Artists With Conviction Celebrates 15 Years!

Artists With Conviction Celebrates 15 Years!

By Sara
By Sara

Prison is a noisy place, yet at Risdon Prison, in Tasmania – nestled near bushland and close to the Risdon Brook Dam – the sounds of nature still break through. Despite the din, the calls of native birds are unmistakable.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 15

2 MIN READ

Leave a Comment

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
0 Comments
Author Name
Comment Time

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. uis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Book Club Review: The Wife and the Widow by Christian White

By About Time

Set on a quiet island in the dead of winter, The Wife and the Widow is a gripping mystery/thriller told from two perspectives.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 9

6 MIN READ

Movie Review of The Wasp

By Vincent

The Wasp is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps the viewer in suspense until the very last moment.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 9

2 MIN READ

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Reviewed by Mark

I've read thousands of novels over the last fifty-odd years and not one of them was romance, but while I'm trying new things – like paraplegia and prison – I might as well add in a romance novel to my life experience.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 8

3 MIN READ

Movie Review of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

By Vincent

Welcome to the planet where the apes are rulers and the humans – as far as we know – are reduced to a subspecies.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 8

2 MIN READ

Get the full paper in print each month.

6-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for six months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $70

12-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for twelve months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $125

Newsletter

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.

Support Australia's First National Prison Newspaper

A place for news and education, expression and hope

Help keep the momentum going. All donations will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. If you would like to pay directly into our bank account to avoid the processing fee, please contact donate@abouttime.org.au. ABN 67 667 331 106.

It's
About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

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.

Donate Here

Newsletter

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.