Britain’s new left-leaning Labor government is looking to the business community to address growing problems in the prison sector. The man they wanted to lead the recovery was the owner of Timpson, a company known for employing ex-offenders.
James Timpson runs a national chain of stores offering key cutting, shoe repair, and dry cleaning and laundry services. He was appointed Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation in Sir Keir Starmer’s new government.
Timpson’s Prison Policy
The shops are dotted across Britain’s high streets, shopping malls and supermarket car parks, and it’s not unusual for customers to be served by a former prisoner.
Timpson, who has been CEO since 2002 and works alongside his father, John, introduced the company’s policy of hiring ex-offenders.
The practice reportedly began after Timpson visited the prison the same year he took the top job. Timpson met a young prisoner named Matt, impressed him, and offered him a job.
Matt has since become one of Timpson’s most successful branch managers, the CEO said.
Timpson currently employs more than 600 “jailbreakers,” accounting for about 10% of the company’s workforce. Prior to his appointment as Prisons Minister, the Chief Executive also served as Chairman of the Prison Reform Trust.
If Timpson can sprinkle a little magic on the character, it could be a boon to Britain’s prison system, not to mention the wider British social fabric and public finances.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he hired Timpson for the role because he “walks the talk”. But he needs to demonstrate his expertise soon, with the warden warning the prison is running out of space.
Timpson is outspoken about his approach to recovery and may be one of the most progressive ministers ever to hold the position.
Earlier this year, Timpson told Channel 4 that the British justice system was “obsessed with punishment”, adding that only a third of current prisoners “definitely” deserved prison.
Recidivism rates in the UK have fallen over the past decade but remain at around 25%. unemployment and financial issues, as well as homelessness and mental health issues,
Mr Timpson said the retention rate for colleagues recruited from prison or with a history of criminal convictions was 75 per cent, indicating low rates of re-offending.
Meet the Timpson family
Timpson and his family were reportedly worth £210 million ($269 million) in 2019. Sunday Times Rich List.
His grandfather and Timpson founder William was kicked out of the company in 1973 when the EDS Group acquired the company. James’ father John became the company’s managing director in 1975 and led a £42m management buyout of the company in 1982.
The company remains wholly owned by Timpson and his family,
The family paid its largest dividend in years in March, worth £16.6 million ($21.3 million), after a huge increase in turnover.
His parents shared Timpson’s sense of public responsibility. John and his wife Alex adopted two of their five children and provided foster care to 90 other children over 31 years.
Alex Timpson received his MBA in 2006 for services to children and families. In 2017, following the death of his wife, John was knighted for his services.
