Bob Turney: Founder of Unlock and Ex-Offender Advocate Dies at 82 2026

Bob Turney, a founder of Unlock, the national association for ex-offenders, has died aged 82. His remarkable journey from prolific offender to respected advocate for criminal justice reform has left an indelible mark on society.

Early Life and Criminal Past

Born in Carshalton, Surrey, Bob grew up around the St Helier estate in nearby Morden. His parents were first cousins; his father, Thomas, had bipolar disorder and took his own life when Bob was 10. His mother, Violet, was partially deaf. Bob struggled at school and only learned in adulthood that he had dyslexia. First sent to a young offenders' institution as a teenager, he spent 18 years in prison for offences including burglary and petty theft. In his memoir, I'm Still Standing, he described feeling welcome, protected, and valued only in that dark world.

Turning Point and Founding of Unlock

After battling drug abuse, alcoholism, and street life, Bob found rehabilitation. He became determined to help others escape what he called "the long shadow" of a criminal record. In 1999, he founded Unlock (then the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) to provide practical support and campaign for legislative reform. His work helped thousands of ex-offenders reintegrate into society. The background to this story is set out in Phyllida Law, prolific performer across stage and screen, dies aged 94. A related thread runs through Phyllida Law, Prolific Stage and Screen Actress, Dies at 94. Earlier coverage in Helch Death: Prolific UK Graffiti Artist Dies shows how the argument developed.

Key Achievements of Bob Turney

• Founded Unlock, offering support to ex-offenders
• Published memoir I'm Still Standing in 1997
• Campaigned for institutional and legislative reform
• Received foreword from Lord Longford for his memoir
• Inspired countless individuals to turn their lives around

Impact on Criminal Justice Reform

Bob's firsthand experience gave him unique credibility. He testified before parliamentary committees, advised policymakers, and worked with organizations like Waterside Press. His efforts contributed to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and later reforms. The table below summarizes his contributions: A closer look at the same subject appears in Criminal Responsibility Age Debate: Youth Justice Reform in Australia. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Business: latest articles. The same theme surfaces in Probation Reform: Fixing Overcrowded Prisons in the UK, which takes a different angle.

Legacy and Remembrance

Bob Turney's legacy lives on through Unlock and the many lives he touched. His friend and publisher at Waterside Press recalls, "He was clutching a well-thumbed manuscript. As he stepped inside, the phone rang: 'Lord Longford here. Has Bob arrived safely? I've written a foreword.'" Bob's story is a testament to the power of redemption and the importance of second chances. Context on how this played out before sits in John D Edwards Obituary: Artist and Cancer Advocate Dies at 74. A companion piece, Angry Anderson Dies at 79: Rose Tattoo Frontman and Youth Advocate, approaches the same subject from another angle.

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