John Drew CBE, Visiting Professor at the University of Bedfordshire, will talk about his experiences while at the YJB and will explore the continuing challenges that imprisoning children presents to society – linking this to the UN Convention on the Rights of Children.

During ‘Reducing Child Imprisonment: Four Years at the Heart of the Youth Justice System’, Professor Drew will review the New Labour settlement for youth justice before reflecting on the changes that created the youth justice system’s achievement in securing the most rapid reduction in child imprisonment on record.

The event on Thursday 13 March takes place at 5pm, at the University’s Luton campus.

For a free ticket, and for more information, email cara.senouni@beds.ac.uk or call 01582 743085.

Notes to editor

This event is part of the University’s Institute of Applied Social Research Professorial and Expert Speaker Lecture Series.

John Drew started working with children in trouble as a volunteer in 1970. After four decades as a social worker in local government he was appointed Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales in 2009.

Four years later the number of children in prison had been more than halved, but, despite reform, the regime under which children are held in custody remains the subject of heated debate.

Following his retirement John was made a C.B.E. in 2013 for services to youth justice.

John is a Visiting Professor at the University of Bedfordshire and chairs East Living, the care and support wing of East Thames Housing Group in east London.

John Drew led the Youth Justice Board for four years from 2009 to 2013.