Britain’s latest left-leaning Labour government is banking on business to tackle the growing problem within the prison sector. And the person they need to see leading this overhaul is the boss of Timpson, an organization known for employing ex-offenders.
James Timpson heads the nationwide chain, which cuts keys, repairs shoes and offers dry cleansing and laundry services. He has been appointed Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Parole under Sir Keir Starmer’s latest government.
Timpson’s prison policy
It isn’t unusual for patrons in these shops, that are bobbing up like mushrooms on British high streets, shopping malls and supermarket automobile parks, to be served by a former prisoner.
Timpson, CEO since 2002 and an worker of his father John, introduced the corporate policy of hiring ex-offenders.
This practice reportedly began after Timpson visited a jail the identical yr he took the highest job. Timpson met a young prisoner named Matt and was so impressed that he offered him a job.
Matt has since change into one among Timpson’s most successful branch managers, the CEO said.
Timpson now employs over 600 “prison leavers”, about 10 percent of the corporate’s workforce. The CEO was also chairman of the Prison Reform Trust until his appointment as Prisons Minister.
If Timpson can sprinkle a few of his magic dust on this role, it could prove a boon to the British prison system, not to say the country’s social fabric and public funds as an entire.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he hired Timpson for the position because he “keeps his promises”. But he might want to prove his expertise quickly as prison governors warn that jails are running out of space.
Timpson has made his commitment to rehabilitation clear and is probably one of the crucial progressive clergymen to ever hold the office.
In conversation with Channel 4 Earlier this yr, Timpson said the British justice system was “addicted to punishment”, adding that only a 3rd of current prisoners should “definitely” be in prison.
The UK Recidivism rates have fallen during the last decade, but are still around 25%. Unemployment and financial problems in addition to homelessness and mental health problems,
According to Timpson, the retention rate of his colleagues who’ve been released from prison or have a criminal record is 75 percent. This indicates a low recidivism rate.
Meet the Timpsons
Timpson and his family were reportedly price £210 million ($269 million) in 2019 Sunday Times Richest People List.
His grandfather and founding father of Timpson, William, was pushed out of the corporate in 1973, after the EDS Group took over the corporate. James’ father John became managing director of the corporate in 1975 and led a £42 million management buyout of the corporate in 1982.
The company, which stays 100% owned by Timpson and his family,
The family paid for the largest dividend for years, valued at £16.6 million ($21.3 million) in March after a giant jump in sales.
His parents shared Timpson’s sense of duty to the community. John and his wife Alex adopted two of their five children and cared for 90 others over 31 years.
Alex Timpson was awarded an MBA in 2006 for his services to children and families. John was knighted for his services in 2017 following the death of his wife.
