The Impact of Arts in Prison

Across the UK, prisons are exploring the role that creativity can play in rehabilitation and wellbeing. With research showing that arts programmes in prisons reduce reoffending, boost confidence and support mental health, it’s clear that creativity can offer a powerful route to transformation.

Inside Change is Create’s arts and financial literacy programme for prisoners, combining creativity with practical life skills. In March 2025, participants at His Majesty’s Prison and Young Offender Institution (HMP/YOI) took part in a radio drama project led by professional artist James. Over three weeks, they explored financial themes such as budgeting and debt, through the process of writing, performing and producing their own radio plays.

We spoke to three participants – Helen, Ciara and Riley* – about what the experience meant to them.

LEARNING THROUGH CREATIVITY

For many participants, the sessions helped to break down complex topics like loans and mortgages into something they could fully engage with.

“We’ve learnt about money and debt management skills, and we’ve created a radio play about crime,” said Helen.

“James [taught] us about mortgages and how they work, loans, how much you’ve got to pay back and how you work it out,” Ciara added. “I learnt a lot.”

The group even designed their own business ideas to put their learning into practice. Riley explained:

“We worked out the costs and benefits of [building] a Botox business. James [made] blueprint paperwork on the direct costs, the indirect costs … how much we’d earn and then how much we’d put into the business, for the building, the staff, the hospitality.”

The group appreciated the life relevance of what they were learning:

It’s been life skills-oriented as well, which is good

CIARA, INSIDE CHANGE participant

UNEXPECTED CONFIDENCE

Trying something new – especially in front of others – wasn’t easy for everyone. But the process helped participants build confidence in themselves and one another:

“The biggest challenge for me was going on the microphone,” said Helen. “In the first week, I was refusing, but now [the Create team] have got us all on it. It was fun.”

Riley, too, found herself growing through the project:

“It’s something different and you learn something new. I really enjoyed it. I liked writing the scripts and talking on the microphone.”

IT’S BUILT UP MY CONFIDENCE A LOT

RILEy, INSIDE CHANGE participant

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER PRISON

For all three women, the value of the project extended far beyond the workshop room. They saw how the skills they were developing could support them in the future, from budgeting to communication.

“This project could benefit me in the future,” said Riley. “You never know, I could go into a new job and need these skills that I didn’t know I needed, and now I’ve got them.”

Helen echoed that sentiment: “It’s benefited us more than school, because I never learnt any of this in school.”

For Ciara and Riley, the opportunity to explore financial topics in a creative way felt empowering:

“When we did the task of taking a loan from the bank, we didn’t look at the terms and conditions at the end. We could have benefited from that. Instead, in our situation, we took a loss. So yeah, we [would] definitely read all of it now and not just skip it,” said Ciara.

“Not everyone will have the chance,” added Riley. “I didn’t go to school and I’ve not really had parents there to explain to me how to manage money. I’ve learnt everything myself. So it’s appreciated that [Create have come] and I can do [this project].”

These powerful reflections remind us that, even in prison, creativity can open doors: to learning, to confidence, and to a more hopeful future.

This project was funded by Santander UK Foundation Limited.

*Names changed to protect anonymity