How Should We Work as Penal Ethicists?

Why is it important to conduct research on the ethics of punishment? A plausible answer to which many penal ethicists seem to subscribe is that research is important in order to influence and guide penal practice. But if this answer is taken seriously, then a new question arises: Is the work of penal ethicists carried out in a way that accords with the aim of guiding penal practice? In this chapter it is argued that there are several barriers to impact arising from the way research is disseminated, the nature of research itself, and the lack of interest in being guided among decision-makers. Moreover, it is suggested that these barriers to impact may be surmountable, but that this will require a rethinking of the way we work as penal ethicists.