Latest news with #Timpson
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Full justice devolution to Wales ‘not on the agenda'
In 2019, an independent commission – led by Lord Thomas, the former head of the judiciary – recommended that justice policy should be 'determined and delivered' in Wales. But, nearly six years on, devolution has stalled, with Welsh and UK ministers suggesting a phased and piecemeal approach to transferring powers as happened in Greater Manchester. Giving evidence to the recent Senedd equality and social justice committee ministers implied the Welsh and UK Governments will pursue the co-commissioning model. Lord Timpson, the UK prisons and probation minister, intimated that devolution would not be a priority amid 'massive pressures' on the justice system. Mick Antoniw, the former counsel general or chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government, pointed to 'volumes of evidence' that devolution of probation 'needs to happen and quickly'. Lord Timpson said: 'If we lurch from problem to problem, we are just going to put sticking plasters all over everything." He said he was more concerned about challenges in probation than prisons – warning the service is unstable, with probation officers having an average caseload of 35. Labour's Jenny Rathbone questioned why more than 25 per cent of the 5,000 Welsh prisoners are held in English jails when Wales has nearly 6,000 prison places of its own. Lord Timpson pointed to capacity pressures with prisons 98.2% full, security in terms of organised crime, and the lack of a category A (high risk) or women's prison in Wales. Following the meeting on July 14, the Senedd's equality and justice committee criticised the 'deeply disappointing' evidence from Lord Timpson. Ms Rathbone said: 'We are very disappointed to hear Lord Timpson say that the UK Government could row back its promises on the devolution of youth justice and probation. 'The Welsh Government has already started the groundwork to prepare because it believed there was a realistic prospect that these aspects could be devolved soon."
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Full justice devolution to Wales ‘not on the agenda'
In 2019, an independent commission – led by Lord Thomas, the former head of the judiciary – recommended that justice policy should be 'determined and delivered' in Wales. But, nearly six years on, devolution has stalled, with Welsh and UK ministers suggesting a phased and piecemeal approach to transferring powers as happened in Greater Manchester. Giving evidence to the recent Senedd equality and social justice committee ministers implied the Welsh and UK Governments will pursue the co-commissioning model. Lord Timpson, the UK prisons and probation minister, intimated that devolution would not be a priority amid 'massive pressures' on the justice system. Mick Antoniw, the former counsel general or chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government, pointed to 'volumes of evidence' that devolution of probation 'needs to happen and quickly'. Lord Timpson said: 'If we lurch from problem to problem, we are just going to put sticking plasters all over everything." He said he was more concerned about challenges in probation than prisons – warning the service is unstable, with probation officers having an average caseload of 35. Labour's Jenny Rathbone questioned why more than 25 per cent of the 5,000 Welsh prisoners are held in English jails when Wales has nearly 6,000 prison places of its own. Lord Timpson pointed to capacity pressures with prisons 98.2% full, security in terms of organised crime, and the lack of a category A (high risk) or women's prison in Wales. Following the meeting on July 14, the Senedd's equality and justice committee criticised the 'deeply disappointing' evidence from Lord Timpson. Ms Rathbone said: 'We are very disappointed to hear Lord Timpson say that the UK Government could row back its promises on the devolution of youth justice and probation. 'The Welsh Government has already started the groundwork to prepare because it believed there was a realistic prospect that these aspects could be devolved soon."
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Minister denies Labour 'strung along' by UK on youth justice
Work is underway looking at the devolution of probation and youth justice, the Welsh government's senior legal advisor has insisted after a UK minister played down the minister Lord Timpson said on Monday it was not "a priority" to devolve either probation or youth General Julie James said a more senior minister has authorised officials to work on the "beginnings" of the devolution of youth justice - and she said devolution was not in Lord Timpson's Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said Lord Timpson's comments amounted to "paternalism". The Welsh government has been calling for criminal justice to be devolved for some is the only nation with its own parliament which shares a legal jurisdiction with England - with policing, the courts and prisons all the responsibility of Westminster and not Cardiff Labour has not agreed to full devolution of criminal justice but has said it would explore giving the Welsh government powers over youth justice and probation, promising that in its general election who call for a transfer of powers argue it would mean that prisons and probation can be better integrated with devolved services, or could allow ministers to change policies to make Welsh government has commissioned work from the Wales Centre on Public Policy on probation devolution, and from former north Wales chief constable Carl Monday Prisons Minister Lord Timpson told a Senedd committee that handing control over of either was not a "priority" while the criminal justice system was in "crisis".One Labour backbench MS said Lord Timpson's comments had been "pretty appalling".Blaenau Gwent MS Alun Davies described Lord Timpson on social media network X as an "unelected peer telling our parliament what powers we are allowed to hold". Devolution process 'not in remit' In the Senedd on Tuesday Adam Price asked Julie James if Wales was "being patronised by Westminster"."I don't agree with that characterisation at all," James said Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister, had "an extremely good meeting with the Lord Chancellor", Shabana Mahmood, "in which she authorised officials to work together on the beginnings of the steps for the the devolution of youth justice".James said an official had been appointed as a "head of youth justice devolution", and meetings on probation were said Lord Timpson had done "an enormous amount of work on the absolute shambles the Conservative government left the court and prison system"."To be fair to him, the devolution process is not within his remit," she said."The manifesto of the UK government said that it would explore the devolution of youth justice and probation, and we are doing that."I am confident that we will get the steps towards that that we expected in this first year and a bit of the UK Labour government, and I'm sure that that journey will continue." Price said in a statement: "Every commission - Silk, Thomas - has reached the same conclusion. Justice powers must align with devolved services. Scotland governs its own justice system with distinction, Northern Ireland shapes its own path with pride, Wales alone is told to wait."After one full year of supposed partnership, we have no draft legislation, no target date for the transfer of power, no outline budget with which to plan, and now we have Labour themselves saying no. This isn't partnership - it's paternalism." The first minister Eluned Morgan said things were "edging" forward on youth justice and probation.A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We have had productive discussions with the UK government on youth justice and probation and we are exploring options where responsibilities in the youth justice system could be realigned. "The deputy first minister will update the Senedd on developments in this area soon."
Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
‘A great asset': As Fever rookie Makayla Timpson's minutes grow so does her impact
INDIANAPOLIS – In a game with few positives to draw from, rookie Makayla Timpson shone for the Indiana Fever. The Golden State Valkyries defeated Indiana 80-61 Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Timpson finished with 10 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a game-high three steals. Timspon played 14 minutes in the first 15 games of the season. She's logged 60 minutes in the past four regular-season games. Earlier this season, Fever coach Stephanie White said she had expected Timpson to receive more minutes with Damiris Dantas playing in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup. Dantas returned against Golden State, but Timpson still played a season-high 20 minutes. 'Playing more has helped me gain a lot of confidence. My coaches trust in me and my teammates believe in me. I'm up for the challenge, and they see a lot of good things in me,' Timpson told IndyStar on Saturday. 'I always want to go out there and do the little things like rebounding, playing hard, running the floor, doing the small things to keep the minutes moving forward.' 'Nobody played well today.' Only consistent thing about Fever is their inconsistency. Why? Doyel: This isn't Fever season anyone expected. But we've seen turnarounds before (cough PACERS cough) After Wednesday's loss, White acknowledged Timpson's athleticism and praised her for having 'good instincts' on defense. 'She's been earning more minutes. For every young player coming into the league, particularly the post position, it's (about) learning the feel. Her ability to continue to grow, get her work in outside with Keith (Porter) and being ready when her number is called,' White said. 'She's continuing to find her way on the offensive end of the floor. She's bouncy and gives us a different type of look. 'There's no substitute for experience, so in some areas where opponents might take advantage, it's just experience, and I think she's come so far in these last four or five games. I anticipate her continued growth.' Fever guard Caitlin Clark returned Wednesday after missing five games with a left groin injury. Clark echoed her coach and highlighted Timpson's ability to block shots and get her hands in passing lanes. Clark believes Timpson is still navigating the Fever's system but views the Georgia native as a valuable piece to the team. 'She's going to be a great asset for us as we go forward here,' Clark said. 'I'm just really proud of her. She comes in every single day, works as hard as she can and is a great teammate. When her number has been called, she's really produced, so it's really awesome to see the ways she's playing and I know she'll keep it up moving forward.' Timpson said she's 'grateful' to play more but remains even-keeled about the opportunity. 'I'm living in the moment,' Timpson said. 'Just keep improving day-by-day.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Makayla Timpson growing despite ‘tough' rookie year, will be needed with frontcourt depth limited
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard texted Makayla Timpson before each game during the rookie's junior year at Florida State. 'Happy Game Day. Take the shot you want to take, and if you don't have the shot, rip and go,' read Howard's messages. Two years later, the Florida State alums became teammates when the Fever drafted Timpson in the second round of the 2025 WNBA draft. Their mentor-mentee relationship has only strengthened since Timpson joined Indiana. Timpson called her rookie campaign 'tough' and said it's been 'a lot of learning' but tries not to overwhelm herself with the process. The 22-year-old said she's growing in her ability to move without the ball, recognizing the significance of '45 and 90 cuts' and its potential to get herself and her teammates open. Through the difficult transition, by her side is an 11-year-veteran and three-time WNBA champion in Howard. 'She's been leading me the way, guiding me through this process and keeping my head on right,' Timpson said. 'I see the things she does and try to model myself after her and be as successful as she has been in the league.' Howard sees the resemblance between herself and Timpson. Howard said Timpson 'brings back memories of me rookie year' because of her athleticism, length and vertical ability. Drafted in 2014, Howard won a ring alongside Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx) in 2017 and two with Sue Bird (Seattle Storm) in 2018 and 2020. Both Moore and Bird are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Howard said vets like Moore and Bird made sure 'I got everything.' Whether it's inviting Timpson to her home for a meal or doing TikToks with the Georgia native, Howard hopes to provide Timpson with the same support she received as a rookie. 'I call her my twin. I love her to death,' Howard said. 'I always make sure she doesn't have to pay for anything. When I got in the league, the other vets were making sure I got everything that I need. So, I'm making sure she got everything that she needs.' Howard often instructs Timpson to be patient and stay intuitive in her first year. Fever coach Stephanie White praised Timpson for being engaged during practice and consistently working with player development coach Keith Porter. White expects Timpson to play more minutes with Damiris Dantas' departure to play for Brazil in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup. Timpson played five minutes in the Fever's 85-75 home loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday. On Friday, Timpson played a season-high 14 minutes in the win over Dallas, scoring three points with two rebounds and a steal. Though Timpson only averages 3.3 minutes per game this season, invaluable time alongside Howard lends White to believe Timpson's future is bright. 'She has a road map right in front of her, and they have such a unique relationship. I think it's gonna continue to help her grow in tremendous ways,' White said. 'Tash has been someone that's connected and communicated with her. It's been fortuitous that they are both here together, and she can help Makayla learn how to be a pro.' Timpson's personal goals for the year are to 'stay consistent and work hard.' She knows one can't develop without counsel and seeks advice from all Fever veterans, not just Howard. 'I love wisdom. I love hanging around older people. Not saying they're old in that way,' Timpson said with a smile. 'But just getting that knowledge from them, they know a lot. I want to know as much as they know, and they can correct me anytime they can. 'I'm working hard, and I know when my number is called, I'll be ready to impact the game and be a great teammate.' Howard commended Timpson for 'staying ready' regardless of her playing time. Because of Timpson's commitment to preparation, Howard has no doubt her mentee will excel in the WNBA. 'In this league, she gon' be able to show what she can do,' Howard said. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever rookie Makayla Timpson has a mentor in Natasha Howard
