The Chromis Programme: Exploratory Research Using Multiple Case Studies

Chromis is a Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) accredited prison programme that aims to reduce violence in adults whose level or combination of psychopathic traits disrupts their ability to engage in treatment and change. At the time of publication Chromis had recently stopped running within HMPPS. However, the approaches of the programme continue to inform the work of the unit where it was delivered and informed the development of subsequent interventions that continue to run across HMPPS. It is also the case that many Chromis participants are still serving sentences and continue to attract attention as a result of their history and the nature of their offending. As such, research into the effectiveness of Chromis and its approach which has informed their risk reduction work remains relevant for the service.

This study makes use of a multiple case study design to review changes in four areas that are markers for treatment success and important to stakeholders across a purposeful sample of five men who had completed treatment and progressed from the prison unit. These areas are: risk factors targeted by the programme, institutional behaviour, engagement in interventions and regimes and protective factors.

For each individual, information from a range of sources was reviewed from the point of sentence up until the date of data collection (dates ranged between October and November 2011). Sources included treatment files, adjudication records, contact logs, psychometric and risk assessment information, interviews with programme participants and focus groups with relevant treatment staff.

Each case study was approached as a separate study, however findings were considered and reported across cases with regard to the four areas of interest. Statements about each area were made where they could be supported by multiple sources of information. Potentially significant information provided by one data source was also noted. Cross case analysis was then conducted.

The study found indicative evidence that individuals can and do engage in Chromis. It is also notable that all participants appeared to have gained benefits from completing Chromis, linked but not confined to, the overall aim of reducing violence. Changes in recorded incidents of physical aggression, self-reports of anger, adjudications and changes in violence risk assessment outcomes all pointed towards positive developments in this regard. From 2 discussions with case study individuals they reported they were better able to delay action; thinking of consequences and considering alternatives. Relating skills to achieving their own goals seemed critical in achieving this. Developments in relationships with staff, particularly uniform staff also seemed important to supporting improved institutional behaviour for individuals.

This research had a number of limitations and further work is needed to build the evidence base for programmes to reduce violence in individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits within prison. While caution needs to be used when extrapolating findings from multiple case study projects to wider groups, this study provides promising findings that may be less apparent from larger scale less individualised approaches.