RadioACTIVITY : Qualitative Insights Into the Perceived Feasibility and Acceptability of an Arts-Based Intervention With Incarcerated Individuals

Arts-based interventions create meaningful opportunities for emotional expression, strengthening personal competencies that can enhance prison social climate and support reintegration. This study examined the perceived feasibility and acceptability of RadioACTIVITY, a co-creative arts-based program combining radio theatre production with participatory practices (RadioLAB, RadioSTUDIO, RadioDIFFUSION), implemented across three 10-month editions in a Portuguese prison. Twenty-eight incarcerated individuals (53.6% female; 46.4% male) participated in focus groups. Thematic analysis indicated that feasibility was supported by sustained engagement facilitated through non-judgmental facilitation, collaborative processes, and dynamic sessions. Acceptability was reflected in positive evaluations of the program as meaningful and appropriate, alongside interest in its continuation. Participants also reported intrapersonal (e.g., self-regulation, language skills) and interpersonal (e.g., empathy) gains, as well as perceived social impacts, including reduced stigma. Findings highlight the potential of arts-based approaches to foster rehabilitation and more constructive prison environments.