Shane Cuthbert is a Former Criminal turned Politician, Advocating for the Youth, Justice, Human Rights, Homelessness, Mental Health and Domestic Violence. CLICK HERE for a full biography.

THe prison diaries

You don’t enter prison—you’re processed, labelled, and swallowed.
The Prison Diaries Part I is Shane Cuthbert’s brutally honest account of his first plunge into the NSW and QLD prison systems—told through diary entries and supported by custodial records, files and case notes.
Between 2015 and 2018, Cuthbert was imprisoned four times across seven prisons in two states, quickly classified as “high profile” and pushed into a world where survival often means protective custody, solitary confinement, silence, and learning the rules fast—whether you want to or not.
This isn’t a polished redemption story. It’s the uncomfortable beginning—the first shocks, the first humiliations, the first betrayals, and the moment you realise the system has its own logic and its own punishments, both official and unofficial. You’ll experience: The reality of reception, remand, and prison culture—what gets you targeted, and what keeps you alive, The psychological toll of isolation and constant threat, The author’s descent from “normal life” into a cycle of trauma, incarceration, and consequences that follow you long after the cell door opens - If you want to understand what prison actually does to people—how it changes the body, the mind, and the future—start here.
Content warning: This book contains confronting material, including references to domestic violence and prison violence.
Shane Cuthbert discusses failure as a graduate of the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from Central Queensland University. Shane Cuthbert was supported by Former MP and Cairns Councillor Rob Pyne and Kathleen Walsh, CEO of Craic On Foundation at the Graduation Ceremony held in Cairns.
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LATEST MEDIA

Using my Voice for change

Lived Experience Advocate and 'Advocacy in Action' podcast host Daniel Vansetten discusses politics, barriers to change and different forms or types of advocacy with Shane Cuthbert and a summary of the conversation was published in 'About Time', Australia's National Prison Newspaper. CLICK HERE for the podcast link and see below for the FULL About Time article.

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(Click on Media below to read and watch Local and National Media)
Shane has completed various business, legal and human rights studies at Harvardx, Stanford and the University of Queensland online through edX. In addition, Shane Cuthbert is a bachelor of Laws and Psychology graduate from Central Queensland University and is currently undertaking his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, PLT and a Master of Laws (Applied Law)(Government and Public Sector) at the College of Law.
Law Graduate Shane Cuthbert thanks former Magistrate Pat O'Shane AM, former Cairns MP Rob Pyne, Psychologist Dr Jeff Nelson and Childhood Institutional Abuse Advocate Russell Manser for supporting him.
Shane Cuthbert has been recognised for his commitment to volunteer organisations in Cairns and continues to support the most vulnerable members of the Cairns community. Since the Local Government Elections in 2024, Shane Cuthbert has spent a significant amount of time supporting at-risk youth, the homeless, prisoners, their families and male victims and perpetrators of violence.
Homelessness Advocate Shane Cuthbert joins the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in order to raise awareness and much needed funds for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Australia
Shane Cuthbert has been invited to speak to various State and Federal Parliamentary Inquiries, sharing his lived experience of the Justice system to inform policy and legislation which supports our most vulnerable community members. Recently, Shane Cuthbert was invited to share his insights with the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council regarding Domestic and Family Violence sentencing policy and has consulted on Prison design in Canberra and Youth Detention in Tasmania.
Shane Cuthbert and Perri Conti of Changing Young Lives request the Cairns Regional Council hold a Youth Crime Forum and support community groups addressing crime.
Shane Cuthbert was recognised by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce in 2021 as an emerging leader in the local Cairns community and has in the past, been a member of various political groups and organisations. Shane contributed to state and federal policy as a former member of the Australian Labor Party and continues to advocate for reforms, regularly invited to speak to Parliamentary Committees of Inquiry into various issues. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Youth Justice Advocate Shane Cuthbert joins former Magistrate Pat O'Shane AM (Who once sentenced Cuthbert as a young person) to present their joint submission to Queensland Youth Justice Reform Select Committee.
Asked to consider entering politics in 2020 by former Cairns MP and current Division 5 Councillor Rob Pyne, Shane Cuthbert has campaigned for both the Cairns Regional Council seat in Division 4 and the State seat of Cairns. During the Council elections in 2024, Cuthbert was narrowly defeated by just 411 votes however, he has shared his intentions to run again in 2028 and continues his community work in the interim. CLICK HERE to learn more about campaign.

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As an author, Shane Cuthbert has successfully published a wide range of titles available as eBooks, audiobooks, hard and soft covers in more than 84 countries worldwide. CLICK HERE for a full list of published works and information regarding where and how you can purchase.
Copyright © Shane Cuthbert 2026 In the spirit of reconciliation, Shane Cuthbert acknowledges the traditional owners of the land upon which he stands and their connections to land, sea and community. Shane Cuthbert pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples and thier leaders, past, present and emerging.