YJB appoints Claudia Sturt as new chief executive

Sturt has previously worked as director of security, order and counter terrorism at the National Offender Management Service and as governor in prisons including Winchester, Erlestoke, Dartmoor and Belmarsh.

• YJB chair Keith Fraser: We need to talk about Black Lives Matter more

• Analysis: Fears over custody staff drop

She will take up the role later this month, replacing retiring chief executive Colin Allars.

Announcing the appointment, chair of the YJB, Keith Fraser said: “Claudia brings to the YJB a significant amount of experience and insight, having worked in prisons and offender management for over 28 years.”

“Our work at the YJB aims to achieve better outcomes for children. We have recently set out our strategic plan and our vision for a youth justice system that sees children as children, and enables them to reach their potential. Claudia joins us at an important moment, and we very much look forward to working with her to deliver this work,” he added.

The Association of Youth Offending Team Managers took to Twitter to congratulate Sturt.

Congratulations 2 Claudia Sturt new incoming @yjb Ch Exec. We hope that via #YJB Chair @keithfraser2017 our @hazelwil43 & Vice Chair @JacquiBS will have an opportunity 2 meet with Claudia soon after she starts. Our best wishes go 2 outgoing CEO Colin Allars for his retirement https://t.co/hxSXY2oItF

— Assn of YOT Managers (@AssnYOTmanagers) May 8, 2021

However, others questioned the appointment due to Sturt’s lack of experience working in the youth centre.

Frances Crook, outgoing chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, wrote on Twitter: “I am looking forward to working with the new head of YJB, who is an expert in terrorism, as we can help her learn about children.”

Another critic added: “New chief exec of YJB has experience in security, order, terrorism, prisons and offender management. Anything relating to children? How does this appointment fit with the child first rhetoric of the strategic plan.”

A third said: “YJB chief executive should be someone with expertise of youth justice, not adult jails.”