Father Jack Hickey founded Dismas House in 1974 along with a group of students as part of the Vanderbilt Prison Project. The idea for university students and former prisoners to share a home was conceived by a group of students and the late Father Jack Hickey, O.P., a chaplain at Vanderbilt University, as an extension of the Vanderbilt Prison Project.  Father Hickey and the students opened the first Dismas House in 1974 in Nashville.

Seven houses owe their origins to Dismas. The program has been recognized nationally for its success and has been used as a model for similar organizations throughout the U.S. and overseas.

Where does the Name come from?

According to Christian tradition, Dismas is the name of the “repentant” or “good thief” crucified with Christ on Calvary...

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:39-43