When Women Talk: exploring the voice of women in prison through an arts-based radio project

This study explores radio as a creative art form supporting participatory rights for incarcerated women in Scotland. Findings reveal three themes: Agency and Influence, Identity and New Narratives, and Finding a Community. Participants gained confidence, strengthened their identities, and influenced their environment. The research highlights how the arts humanise incarcerated people, challenge institutional norms, and foster active citizenship. It contributes to literature on ‘prisoner radio’ and arts in criminal justice, emphasizing how arts-based projects can enhance democratic participation in prisons, providing space for self-expression, development, and social connection in historically marginalised communities.