Industrial Tempus Novo: Turning Second Chances into Success

 

 

In 2014, two former senior prison officers with over 60 years of combined experience, Steve Freer and Val Wawrosz, set out to challenge an age-old stigma—the belief that people with criminal convictions are unemployable. While acknowledging that dangerous criminals deserve to be behind bars, they also recognized a harsh reality: nearly 60% of those cycling in and out of prison come from backgrounds of poverty, absent parental guidance, and limited education. These individuals were never given a real opportunity in life—let alone a second chance.

 

Determined to change this, Steve and Val founded Tempus Novo, a groundbreaking charity that has since become a beacon of hope for thousands of ex-offenders. With an innovative employment-based rehabilitation model, the charity has successfully placed over 1,000 individuals into sustainable jobs, achieving an astonishingly low reoffending rate of under 5%—a stark contrast to the UK’s 44% national one-year reoffending rate.

 

 

At the core of Tempus Novo’s mission is a simple yet powerful belief: stable employment is the key to breaking the cycle of crime. Unlike traditional rehabilitation programs that focus solely on skills training or short-term support, Tempus Novo works directly with businesses, ensuring that service users not only secure jobs but also receive long-term support to succeed in them.

 

Steve Freer and Val Wawrosz designed the model based on their extensive experience within the Criminal Justice System, knowing firsthand that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Their program combines mentorship, employer partnerships, and a hands-on support system, ensuring that both employees and employers benefit from the arrangement.

 

 

While Steve and Val are firm believers in justice, they also understand that many offenders are not beyond redemption. Their stance is clear:

 

By addressing the root causes of reoffending—poverty, lack of skills, and job discrimination—Tempus Novo is not just reducing crime; it is preventing it.

 

 

If Steve and Val provided the vision, Tempus Novo’s caseworkers bring it to life. Many of these dedicated professionals come from prison officer backgrounds, allowing them to build trust with service users in ways that traditional social services cannot.

 

Unlike probation officers or government rehabilitation programs, Tempus Novo caseworkers treat individuals as people, not just statistics.

 

Service users frequently highlight the strong personal relationships they form with their caseworkers. These professionals go above and beyond, offering:

 

This level of personal investment has proven to be one of the most critical factors in the charity’s success.

 

 

Beyond its life-changing social impact, Tempus Novo’s approach also delivers significant economic benefits. With the annual cost of housing a prisoner in the UK exceeding £51,000, effective rehabilitation programs like Tempus Novo can save the government millions in taxpayer money.

 

Instead of cycling through the criminal justice system, ex-offenders become productive, tax-paying members of society.

 

The numbers speak for themselves: among the 178 people placed into employment by Tempus Novo in 2022, one in five has already been promoted. Employers who once hesitated to hire ex-offenders are now actively seeking partnerships with the organization, recognizing the dedication and work ethic of these individuals.

 

 

Despite its outstanding success, Tempus Novo acknowledges that more can be done. While the organization has secured employment opportunities in logistics, construction, and manufacturing, expanding into industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare could provide even greater opportunities for ex-offenders with diverse skills and aspirations.

 

Additionally, as the charity grows, maintaining its highly personalized and hands-on approach will be a challenge. However, if its track record proves anything, it is that compassion, experience, and a commitment to second chances can create real, lasting change.

 

 

Tempus Novo is more than just a rehabilitation program—it is a lifeline for individuals determined to break free from their past and build a better future.

 

By bridging the gap between prisons and employers, offering long-term support, and redefining what it means to have a criminal record, Steve Freer and Val Wawrosz have created a model that proves people can and do change—if given the chance.

 

As crime rates and prison populations remain pressing concerns, Tempus Novo’s model offers a scalable, effective solution that could revolutionize rehabilitation worldwide.

 

Perhaps it’s time for policymakers to take note: real rehabilitation begins with real jobs.