--- title: Case study- Dismas Charities description: See how Atlas helps Dismas Charities strengthen reentry outcomes, boost client motivation, reduce recidivism risk and save 10 hours per week of staff time image: https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Social%20Media/Dismas%20Charities.png --- [![The Change Companies Logo](https://go.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/TCClogo_website.png?width=500&height=67&name=TCClogo_website.png "The Change Companies Logo")](https://changecompanies.net?hsLang=en) [Technical Support](https://support.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) [Contact Sales](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) Search changecompanies.net About Us [About](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en) [Leadership](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#leadership) [Advisors](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#advisors) [Contact Us](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) [Careers](https://changecompanies.net/careers?hsLang=en) [![The Change Companies Logo](https://844aa8d177dcf87d02fc-8f72bb99f02c2e7ec80fe67c19b57c36.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/newsite/TCClogo_website.png)](https://go.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) - 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To find out whether [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) delivers on its promise in the real world, an independent evaluator studied it across two Dismas Charities sites — with results that speak for themselves. 95% Of clients report increased motivation 80% Say Atlas helps avoid behaviors that lead back to prison 5-10 hrs Saved per week by staff using AI summaries [Book a Demo](https://go.changecompanies.net/case-study-dismas-charities#book-demo) [Learn More About Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) ![Dismas Charities](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Landing%20Pages/Downloads/Images/Dismas_Charities_FullColor-022x.avif) ### About Dismas Charities Healing the human spirit since 1964, [Dismas Charities](https://www.dismas.com/) is a national nonprofit that operates residential re-entry centers for men and women transitioning from state and federal incarceration. Programs focus on three areas proven to drive results: education, employment, and family support — paired with evidence-based practices and validated risk, need, and strengths assessments to reduce recidivism. This evaluation was conducted across two Dismas Charities sites — Manchester, Kentucky, and Atlanta, Georgia — to capture perspectives from both rural and urban reentry populations. #### Research method Sites Manchester, KY + Atlanta, GA Method Validated surveys + client/staff interviews Scale 589 pages of qualitative feedback Model Evidence-based digital journaling paired with case management ### Key findings #### 95% report increased motivation Clients across both sites say Atlas helped increase their motivation to make positive changes — 100% of staff agreed #### 80% avoid recidivism-linked behaviors Clients and staff alike say Atlas helps clients steer clear of behaviors that could lead back to incarceration #### 5–10 hours saved per week by staff AI-powered journal summaries free up significant staff time each week that can be reinvested in client care ## The evaluation People returning to their communities after incarceration deserve tools that meet them where they are. To find out whether Atlas delivers on that promise, an independent evaluator — Steven L. Proctor, Ph.D., founder of PRO Health Group — studied Atlas inside Dismas Charities, one of the country's largest residential reentry providers. The evaluator had no role in Atlas's design or development. The mixed-methods evaluation ran from November 2025 to January 2026 across two program sites — Manchester, Kentucky, a rural setting, and Atlanta, Georgia, an urban one — to ensure perspectives from both rural and urban reentry populations. 20 Participants 2 Program sites 8 Validated measures The design combined eight validated and purpose-built quantitative measures with 60-minute, in-depth qualitative interviews. Twenty participants — ten clients and ten staff members — completed both interviews and online surveys. The qualitative dataset spanned 589 pages of transcripts, analyzed using NVivo qualitative analysis software. "Your mind is like a garden. If you plant seeds in it, they will grow. … Atlas is actually planting things in your mind. How are we to change the way we think if we don't plant anything in the mind?" — Client, Atlanta ## Atlas usability ratings Usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), a widely cited industry benchmark in which any score above 68 is considered above average. Atlas scored well above that line with both clients and staff. Staff81.75 Clients79.0 Industry "above-average" benchmark: 68 70% of clients and 80% of staff scored Atlas above the above-average usability cutoff. Both groups described the platform as easy to learn, easy to navigate, and well integrated into daily routines — most clients access Atlas on their personal smartphones. "Atlas is an easy tool to use without needing anything else." — Staff, Manchester "It's pretty user friendly - lots of sliders and check boxes. I like that I can access it anytime. I like that it's interactive." — Client, Atlanta ## What staff are saying Staff describe Atlas as a tool that strengthens their practice rather than adding to it. Four themes dominated the staff interviews. ### 1. AI summaries are saving staff hours every week The AI journaling-response summary feature was the most consistently used and most highly praised feature in the platform. Staff estimated time savings ranging from six to 10 hours per week, depending on caseload. "One of my guys did like 12 different Journals. I had like 400 and something pages to review. That saved me probably 6 hours of my life." — Staff, Manchester ### 2. Atlas opens doors clients don't open in person Staff repeatedly noted that journaling reaches clients in ways group sessions cannot. "Some of them don't open up in group. But they'll write things in the journals they wouldn't say out loud." — Staff, Manchester ### 3. Completion certificates are a quietly powerful motivator Staff described Atlas's completion certificates as one of the most universally praised features for clients — tangible recognition for individuals who often have few formal achievements to celebrate. "They always smile when I give it to them… This actually feels like a reward in a way. Makes you feel good." — Staff, Atlanta ### 4. Staff believe in the impact of Atlas on important reentry outcomes 100% of staff surveyed stated that Atlas provides useful tools for helping clients overcome challenges in reentry, manage personal relationships or interactions, and increase motivation to make positive changes. ## What clients are experiencing Clients themselves describe Atlas as a tool that helps them think, slow down, and rebuild. Three themes emerged again and again. ### 1. Reflection and self-awareness Clients used Atlas to process emotions, recognize patterns in their behavior, and develop healthier coping strategies. 80% of respondents said Atlas helped improve general mental health and manage anger, and 80% said Atlas helped them manage personal relationships or interactions with others. "It actually helps me on a psychological level deal with people. … It actually helps me have certain conversations like with my daughter." — Client, Atlanta ### 2. Identity and hope Clients consistently described journaling as a way to reclaim a sense of self after incarceration. 90% said Atlas helped them feel more confident in their ability to make positive life changes. "It helped me start to realize that I'm not a number. I'm \[name\] and I do have value … to move forward in my life." — Client, Atlanta ### 3. Real-world skills they can apply immediately Parenting, communication, budgeting, and employment journals were called out as immediately applicable to daily life, with 80% of clients saying Atlas is helping them stay on track with supervision requirements and feel more prepared to move forward after incarceration. "It gave me about five or six 'aha' moments — how to market yourself and how to make yourself not look at what your past failures were, but what your future holds." — Client, Atlanta ## Digital journaling is strongly preferred Seventy percent of staff selected digital as their overall preference, and 80% said clients want to journal more often in the digital format. Among clients, 50% preferred digital and another 30% said digital and written formats work equally well — leaving only 20% who prefer pen-and-paper. Eight out of eight domains assessed — clarity, honesty, ease of use, motivation, goal adherence, sense of control, problem understanding, and overall preference — showed a majority preferring digital, or rating the two formats as equally effective. Clients 50% Digital 30% Both 20% Written Staff 70% Digital 20% Both 10% "When you see that progress on the screen — 20%, 40% — it helps. Seeing that motivates me. You don't get that with a notebook." — Client, Atlanta "Digital journaling is more private — them and me are the only ones seeing it, versus if they left their journal out or someone got a hold of it." — Staff, Manchester ## Four outcomes central to successful reentry 01 #### Motivation and self-efficacy **95%** of clients said Atlas increased motivation to make positive changes, while **90%** said it increased confidence in their ability to change. 02 #### Reduced recidivism risk **80%** of clients and staff said Atlas helps clients avoid behaviors that could lead them back to prison. 03 #### Mental health and relationships **85%** said Atlas supports personal relationships, while **80%** said it supports mental health and anger management. 04 #### Reentry readiness **85%** said Atlas provides useful tools for overcoming reentry challenges; more than **75%** reported gains across multiple readiness indicators. "Because if you do it, it's gonna work. Works if you work it." — Client, Manchester ![Atlas in Reentry: Key Findings from an Independent Evaluation of Atlas](https://go.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Pages/Downloads/Content%20Offers/Atlas%20in%20Reentry.png?width=260&height=332&name=Atlas%20in%20Reentry.png) FREE WHITE PAPER ### Atlas in Reentry: Key Findings from an Independent Evaluation of Atlas Get the full report for the complete methodology, findings, and staff and client voices behind the numbers on this page. [Download the White Paper](https://go.changecompanies.net/atlas-in-reentry-key-findings-from-an-independent-evaluation-of-atlas?hsLang=en) " ## Bring proven reentry outcomes to your program See how Atlas supports residential reentry with structured digital journaling, AI-powered staff tools, and measurable results — validated by independent, third-party research. [Get an Atlas Demo](https://go.changecompanies.net/case-study-dismas-charities#book-demo) ![Atlas product demo](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Website%20Pages/Main%20page/Group%20139-1.png) ### More case studies ### [![Heartland House](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Website%20Pages/Case%20studies/Heartland%20House%20logo.png) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Heartland House How Heartland House uses Atlas to improve efficiency while enhancing client success See how this residential treatment provider uses Atlas to strengthen staff workflows and support client success. Read the Case Study](https://go.changecompanies.net/case-study-heartland-house?hsLang=en) ### [![New Freedom](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Blog/Banner%20Graphics/New%20freedom.png) REENTRY New Freedom How New Freedom uses Interactive Journaling® to promote strong reentry outcomes Discover how New Freedom integrates Interactive Journaling® to strengthen engagement, skill development, and lasting behavior change. Read the Case Study](https://go.changecompanies.net/case-study-new-freedom?hsLang=en) Book your Atlas demo ## See what Atlas could do inside your facility Dismas Charities uses [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) to pair evidence-based digital journaling with case management in its residential reentry centers. Tell us a little about your agency, and we'll show you how it could work for yours. ### In your demo, we'll walk you through: - Digital journaling clients can access anytime, including on their personal smartphones - AI-powered journal summaries that save staff hours of review time each week - Progress tracking and completion certificates that keep clients motivated 95% of Dismas Charities clients reported increased motivation to make positive changes ### Request your Atlas demo Fill out the form and our team will be in touch. 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