About Time

This NAIDOC week, we celebrate the strength, vision and legacy of the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples. Kelly Flanagan of exemplifies this - she started writing to us from prison, and now released, continues to advocate for her sisters inside. She is also an artist and her paintings are available to purchase via The Torch website. Read the story of the creation of her art practice here.

We also want to take this moment as NAIDOC weeks come to a close, to acknowledge the impacts of the criminal legal system on First Nations people, including disproportionate rates of incarceration and deaths in custody, which remain a national shame. About Time is grateful for all the stories, wisdom and art that we receive from Mob inside and those who have done time.

Edition 11 of About Time is in prisons across the country, and available to read on the website.

The edition includes an investigation into the housing crisis facing people leaving prison, personal stories of survival, letters of encouragement, reflections on release, an analysis of the enduring appeal of prison movies and much more.

Thank you to all who contributed and put this edition together, especially to those inside prisons.

Design: Ethan Cassidy
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This Mother's Day, we think of all the mothers behind bars, all the people inside separated from their mothers, mothers on the outside separated from their kin, and the children who long for their mothers.

Thank you Yung Prodigy, for this powerful love letter.

Yung Prodigy is a youth-led organisation focused on mobilising young people impacted by parental and kinship incarceration, an invisible issue and policy gap in Australian service provision.

Read the full letter and more via the website in bio.

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Our May 'Mother's Day' issue is out now! Featuring Tabitha Lean on the pain of motherhood behind bars and Yung Prodigy's love letter to mothers navigating the criminal legal system. Also, Denham Sadler on the programs keeping mothers and children together behind bars. Letters this month includes Mark on his inability to call his family overseas, Paul on brotherhood behind bars and George, on learning to read while inside.

Get stuck into the issue - read for free on the website or subscribe for a paper copy (it's even better in print!)

🗳️ The election is nearly here - but many people in prison are not permitted to vote.

Read more at abouttime.org.au

"Understanding criminology helps us see the bigger picture, not just about who gets locked up, but why and how the system works the way it does."


Read the full article via the website

"It suddenly dawns upon me that Jonny, the young fearless warrior, is actually taking care of me. Some sort of bonding has taken place."

Read the full piece by Sam Harris via the website in bio.

"One of the hardest things ever is to leave the person you love in prison, to walk away willingly and not take them with you. Every visit trying to keep a brave face and the tears at bay as you try to bring them a small moment of happiness and relieve the monotony."

Thank you Ellie for sharing your story to About Time.

Painting by Victoria Loizides

"If telling my story of how doing painting can help with mental health or even depression, if it helps even one person, I'm a happy man. Because before I started painting, I was really struggling a lot with my mental health. When I paint, I'm not in prison anymore. I'm lost for hours in my artwork. And to see what people can create when they put their minds to it, it's crazy. If you don't like to paint, then even try poetry. The more hours you spend doing something creative, the less time you will see in prison."

Read the full letter from Ethan on the website

Why the battle to have a say motivates people inside.

Read the full story via the website or subscribe for a print copy.

Letters from people inside; criminal justice news from around the country and more. Read online, or subscribe for a print copy. Head to the website in bio.

Thank you to all who contributed to this edition and helped make it happen.

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Design: Ethan Cassidy