Bob Turney was one of south London’s most prolific burglars. Born and raised on a notorious housing estate, as a child he was profoundly dyslexic and deemed ‘educationally subnormal’ by the authorities. From an early age he lived on the periphery of organised crime, spending an 18 year period in and out of prison, for crimes ranging from street begging to bank robbery. During this time, he became dependant on alcohol and drugs.

However, since 1981 Bob has achieved what many would have thought was the impossible: through the help of enlightened individuals he turned his life around by quitting crime, alcohol and drugs, and by going to university and gaining a degree in Forensic Social Work. For several years he practiced as a probation officer, working with challenging and dangerous people both in prison and in the community, many of whom had life-controlling addictions.

Following a successful career has a probation officer; Bob became a Government advisor on penal reform. In addition to this, for a number of years he was speech writer and advisor to a member of the House of Lords. He also makes regular appearances on television and radio, as a panelist and expert on crime and punishment.

Here are some comments Bob has recieved

“I know Bob Turney, and I know his work, I have witnessed him hold an audience, spellbound.”
Dr Deborah Cheney

“Bob Turney is a true champion of human rights in the penal system”
Baroness Kennedy Q.C