What Dismas Charities does

Dismas Charities operates halfway houses in multiple states where people returning from incarceration live while rebuilding their lives in the community. The organisation does not run prisons or manage sentences — it provides residential housing and support services to people who have already been released or are in the final stages of their sentence. Residents typically live there for several months while they find work, reconnect with family, and meet the conditions of their release or parole.

Dismas Charities is a Catholic nonprofit founded in 1968. It operates facilities in states including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and others, though the number and location of houses changes. Each house serves a specific number of residents — usually between 20 and 50 people — and operates under rules set by the state corrections department and Dismas itself. Residents are not locked in, but they must follow house rules, maintain employment or participate in programming, and report to their parole or probation officer as required.

Key Takeaways

  • Dismas Charities runs residential halfway houses in multiple states where people on parole or release can live while they reestablish themselves in the community.
  • Placement at a Dismas house is arranged through your state's corrections or parole department, not by contacting Dismas directly yourself.
  • Residents must work or participate in approved programming, follow house rules, and meet the conditions of their release agreement.
  • The length of stay varies but typically lasts several months, and residents pay a portion of their income toward room and board.

How placement works

You do not contact Dismas Charities on your own to request placement. Instead, your parole officer, release planner, or the corrections department in your state determines whether a halfway house is part of your release plan. If your case worker believes a Dismas house is appropriate for your situation, they submit a referral to the facility. The halfway house then reviews your background, current charges or convictions, and whether you meet their intake criteria.

Placement depends on several factors: whether a bed is available, whether your offense history fits the house's population, whether you have a job lined up or are willing to seek one when ready, and whether you can follow the house rules. Some Dismas houses accept people with certain types of convictions and decline others. Your parole or probation officer can tell you whether a Dismas house serves people with your background and whether one has an opening in your area.

What residents pay and what is provided

Dismas Charities charges residents a daily or monthly fee for room and board. The amount varies by location and is typically deducted from your paycheck or paid from your own funds. The exact cost depends on the specific house and your income — some houses use a sliding scale based on what you earn. You should ask your case worker or the halfway house directly what the current rate is for the facility where you might be placed.

In return, you receive a bed, meals, and access to house programming. Most Dismas houses offer job search information, life skills classes, substance abuse counselling if needed, and connections to community resources. Some houses have computers available for job applications, and staff can help you understand parole conditions or connect you with mental health services. The specific services vary by location.

Rules and expectations for residents

Dismas Charities halfway houses operate under state corrections rules plus their own house policies. Most require residents to maintain employment or participate in approved activities — school, job training, or treatment programs — during the day. Curfews are common, and residents must be in the house by a set time each evening. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and most houses conduct random drug tests.

Residents must report to their parole or probation officer on schedule and inform the halfway house of their whereabouts during the day. Visitors are usually allowed but may be restricted to certain hours or require advance notice. Weapons, violence, and theft are grounds for when ready removal. If you violate house rules or the terms of your release, the halfway house can discharge you, which typically results in your return to custody or a violation report to your parole officer.

Length of stay and transition out

Most residents stay at a Dismas house for three to twelve months, though the exact length depends on your release plan and how quickly you meet its conditions. Your parole officer sets the expected timeline when you enter. As you approach the end of your stay, staff help you find permanent housing, confirm your employment is stable, and may support you understand your ongoing parole or probation requirements.

Discharge from the halfway house does not end your parole or probation — it means you have moved to independent living while still under supervision. Some people transition to their own apartment or move in with family. Others may move to a different type of housing or support program. Your case worker and the halfway house staff work together on your exit plan before you leave.

Finding a Dismas house in your state

Dismas Charities maintains a website listing its facilities by state, though the list may not be complete or current. The most reliable way to find out whether a Dismas house serves your area is to ask your parole officer, release planner, or the corrections department directly. They have current information about which houses have beds available and which accept people with your background.

If you are incarcerated and approaching release, your release planner should discuss housing options with you before you leave. If you are already on parole or probation and interested in a halfway house, contact your parole officer. They can tell you whether a Dismas facility is an option and how to request placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which Dismas house I go to?

No. Your parole officer or release planner decides which facility is appropriate based on location, your needs, and bed availability. You can discuss preferences with your case worker, but the final decision rests with corrections.

What happens if I lose my job while living at a Dismas house?

You are typically required to begin job searching when ready and report your status to house staff. Most houses allow a short grace period to find new work. If you do not find employment within the timeframe set by your parole officer or house rules, you may face a violation or discharge.

Can I leave the halfway house on weekends?

That depends on the specific house and your release plan. Some houses allow weekend passes or time off-site if you have a job or family obligation and have requested permission in advance. Others have stricter restrictions. Ask the halfway house or your parole officer what is permitted under your conditions.

What if I disagree with a house rule or a staff decision?

Most Dismas houses have a grievance process. You can file a formal complaint with house management or ask your parole officer to intervene. Serious disputes may be reviewed by the state corrections department, though the halfway house retains the right to discharge you if you violate rules.