Advancing the identification and treatment of offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits in the UK

摘要

This thesis aims to advance the assessment of psychopathy and treatment of offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits within the UK prison service. udFollowing an introduction to set this work in context, Part I provides a review that investigates how assessments of psychopathy inform the risk, need and responsivity needs of individuals. This is a framework that underpins treatment of offending behaviour. Part II explores a potential psychopathy assessment and screening measure for the UK prison service. Specifically, Chapter two assesses the reliability and validity of the Hare Self-Report Psychopathy scale (Hare SRP). udPart III investigates the impact of an innovative treatment programme for violent offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits; the Chromis programme. Chapter three outlines the nature of the Chromis programme. Chapter four explores participants’ experiences of treatment using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Chapter five focuses on changes in anger and aggression across five participants, looking at self-reported change and observed behaviour. Chapter six reports on changes across four key areas using a multiple-case study methodology of five case studies. udFinally there is an overview and discussion of the findings, their implications, and limitations and suggested future research. ud