RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTION THAT RESEARCH MIGHT MAKE TO PENAL POLICY LED 20 YEARS AGO TO THE FOUNDING OF THE HOME OFFICE RESEARCH UNIT. IT WAS FELT THAT A PERMANENT INTERNAL UNIT WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO UNDERTAKE A COORDINATED AND LONG-TERM PROGRAM OF WORK. THE UNIT NOW HAS A COMPLEMENT OF SOME 50 PROFESSIONAL STAFF. THE RESEARCH UNIT IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED FOR RESEARCH WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR PENAL POLICY. THE EXISTENCE OF A POLICY DIALOGUE HELPS ENSURE THAT APPROPRIATE RESEARCH IS EXECUTED AND THAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH ARE WORKED OUT, PUT INTO PRACTICE, AND EVALUATED. THE HOME OFFICE UNIT HAS DEVELOPED A GREATER LIAISON WITH ADMINISTRATORS IN ORDER TO DISCUSS THE CONTRIBUTION RESEARCH CAN MAKE IN POLICY FORMULATION, AND RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE NOW DESIGNED WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS' NEEDS IN MIND. THIS HAS MEANT A MOVE AWAY FROM PROJECTS EVALUATING PENAL TREATMENTS TO RESEARCH WHICH HAS HAD PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATORS. IT IS HOPED THAT THE CLOSER LIASION BETWEEN RESEARCH AND POLICYMAKING CAN LEAD TO A RECIPROCITY IN WHICH PLANNING LEADS TO RESEARCH AND RESEARCH RESULTS INFLUENCE FUTURE POLICY PLANNING. (MJW)