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According to the Penitentiary Act, the penal system as a state setting primarily pursues the aim of resocialization, i.e. enabling imprisoned people to lead a life of social responsibility without re-offending. Creative forms of therapy such as music and dance therapy are becoming increasingly important in this context as measures for personal development and social integration. The present pilot study was part of the “Research Methods” module in the music therapy or dance therapy course at the Medical School Hamburg. It has been examined whether there is general interest in therapy and in art therapies, as well as the possibilities of implementing these forms of therapy. As an example, research was carried out in the two Lower Saxony prisons in Wolfenbüttel and Celle. The aim was to find out to what extent music and dance therapy are accepted and experienced as beneficial in everyday prison life and what hurdles exist when implementing it. As part of a parallel mixed-method design, qualitative expert interviews with the prison management and a quantitative survey of the prisoners (Wolfenbüttel JVA only) were carried out. Of the 100 questionnaires distributed, 43 could be evaluated. The results show that prisoners are very open to creative therapy options. The response to music and music therapy was surprising; according to the results, it is perceived as emotionally relieving, motivating and identity-forming. People in the institution management also generally have a positive attitude towards art forms of therapy. The main hurdles to long-term implementation were limited financial resources and a lack of human resources. Music and dance therapy can currently only be implemented as part of individual projects. The study makes it clear that music and dance therapy in prisons are not only accepted but could also promote resocialization. The high popularity of music could be a bridge of trust to reach prisoners, support their will to change their personality and encourage them in the prison setting. The pilot study provides concrete impulses for the expansion and stronger institutional anchoring of art therapies and offers in the German prison system.