Ex-offenders can become successful entrepreneurs heres what the prisons minister should do to make it happen [Video]

James Timpson, former CEO of the high street cobbler and keycutter that bears his family name, was appointed this summer as the UK’s new minister for prisons, probation and reducing re-offending.

It was a surprise move that was generally applauded by politicians of all persuasions as well as prison reform advocates, criminal justice stakeholders and former prisoners themselves.

As a company, Timpson is renowned for its support and investment in the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Most notably, this is evident in its employment of ex-offenders.

It is reputed to be the largest employer of ex-prisoners in the UK with 10% of its workforce made up of staff with criminal convictions. James Timpson led this novel strategy in his former roles as the chair of the Employers Forum for Reducing Re-offending and the chair of the Prison Reform Trust.

But Timpson now has his work cut out, given the state of overcrowding in UK prisons, decline in the physical condition of the estate, …