Letter from the CEO
January 7, 2026
Dear Friends,
As we welcome a new year, I am filled with gratitude for the community that makes Dismas House possible. A new year offers a moment to reflect on how far we have come and to recommit ourselves to the work ahead with clarity, purpose, and hope.
The past year marked a meaningful period of transition for Dismas House, as I stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer in January 2025. Leading the organization during a time of change has been both humbling and inspiring. I am deeply grateful for our dedicated staff, the steady leadership of our Board of Directors, and the unwavering commitment of our donors, volunteers, and community partners. Your belief in second chances continues to sustain our mission.
Despite moments of uncertainty, Dismas House remained focused on what matters most: supporting justice-impacted men as they rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. Through our holistic, evidence-based reentry model, we served 148 men over the past year, providing stability, accountability, and opportunity at every stage of their journey. Our commitment to whole-person care continues to deliver measurable results, including a three-year recidivism rate of just 2.5%, compared to the statewide average of 29.6%.
Behind every statistic is a human story. Fathers reconnecting with their families. Men securing employment, housing, and a renewed sense of self-worth. These transformations are made possible by a community that believes people are more than their past, and that lasting change happens when individuals are supported with consistency, compassion, and structure.
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with intention and optimism. My priorities center on strengthening our reentry model, expanding the clinical and behavioral health supports that promote safe and stable transitions, and improving linkage-to care pathways for residents managing substance-use and mental-health needs. We will deepen partnerships with reentry and public health providers, enhance employment-readiness services, and invest in staff development to ensure consistent, high-quality care. Above all, we will continue fostering a campus culture grounded in dignity and opportunity, one that supports successful reentry and contributes to healthier, safer communities.
What remains constant is our commitment to opening doors, reducing barriers, and creating pathways to lasting change.
Thank you for standing with Dismas House and for being part of a mission that proves transformation is possible. Together, we move into this new year grounded in purpose and inspired by what lies ahead.
With gratitude and hope,
Steven R. Murff
Chief Executive Officer