Drama-based interventions for men in prison who use substances – A literature review

Over a third of men in UK prisons are known to be affected by drug dependency, alongside a rise in drug-related deaths since 2020. This crisis exposes limitations of punitive strategies that neglect the neurocognitive and emotional roots of addiction. Drama-based interventions are recognised for fostering emotional expression, identity exploration, and agency, while creating space to hear and value the voices of those in prison. This review draws on 18 studies (2000–2025) focused on men in prison—who face disproportionate risks linked to substance use, overcrowding, and suicide—to examine how creative approaches might disrupt entrenched paradigms. Findings reveal few longitudinal, UK-based studies and an overreliance on outcome-driven metrics. Future research should prioritise participant-centred, creative art methodologies that foreground lived experience and support more inclusive, contextually grounded carceral practice, without imposing predefined success criteria. • Substance use in UK prisons is rising, highlighting limits of punitive approaches. • Drama-based work offers relational, embodied support for men in carceral settings. • Structural inequalities driving substance use are often overlooked in treatment. • Research often centres institutions over lived experience, risking distortion. • Future work must use participatory, accessible methods that honour those affected.