The Latest Breaking News from James Timpson

The early days of the new Labour government have given prison reform advocates reason to be hopeful. Two announcements – the appointment of James Timpson as prisons minister and an expanded early release programme – are promising steps towards repairing a criminal justice system that has been devastated by cuts…

Exclusive: Former chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick says money would be better spent preventing crime

After the UK prisons minister praised the system in the Netherlands, experts there say the reality is more complex

Letters: Readers on the mammoth task facing the new prisons minister to reform the criminal justice system

Government to announce terms which could free more than 20,000 inmates in coming months to manage capacity

Editorial: A strong emphasis on rehabilitation is what the justice ministry and Prison Service need

Amid the many historic appointments in his cabinet, the new prime minister Keir Starmer made one particularly noteworthy announcement: James Timpson to become minister for prisons, parole and probation. Timpson is not a politician but the head of the key-cutting and shoe repair company of the same name. He was…

Keir Starmer has made a flurry of ministerial appointments since becoming UK prime minister last week but one name has stood out: new prisons minister James Timpson.

James TImpson started hiring ex-prisoners after taking over as CEO in 2002 as a result of a surprise encounter at a prison.