Working with Psychopathic Offenders: Lessons from the Chromis Program

Abstract

Psychopathic traits impact on an individual's engagement with treatment and on the staff who deliver that treatment. This article shares what has been learned about developing and implementing a treatment program for this group, particularly in relation to staff selection and support. The Chromis program aims to reduce violence in men with high levels of psychopathic traits. In the light of what is known about psychopathic offenders in treatment and their impact on staff this paper outlines the development of a competency framework, recruitment process and training and support program for staff involved in Chromis. It also considers the evaluation of this process with a view to assisting others.

Keywords:

• psychopathy
• offenders
• staff selection
• wellbeing
• treatment

Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to the staff at the Westgate unit within HMP Frankland for their continued hard work in implementing and developing the Chromis programme. Also to Kate Davidson for her valuable feedback in the preparation of this article.