More Than Half Way Home
An unflinching look at the American prison system and a testament to the idea that true freedom begins with community.
In 2013, while still in seminary studying to become a priest, Fr. Dustin Feddon began visiting men in Florida’s prisons and jails. What he experienced there was the deep humanity of these men, even as they lived in some of the most cruel and barbaric conditions, particularly those in solitary confinement.
As he accompanied them from prison to life on the outside, from death row to the execution chamber, he experienced their resilience, their daring to dream of a better life, their desire for peace.
From ministering to men on death row and witnessing an execution, to seeing the failure of “release” programs, Fr. Dustin Feddon asked himself whether spaces could be created that would be the antithesis to the typical “halfway houses” of confinement dorms, a community to welcome people back into the human family, re-affirming their dignity.
His answer: yes. And thus begins the story of Joseph House.
Like Just Mercy and Dead Man Walking, here is a compelling true story that doesn’t flinch from the brutal landscape of the American criminal justice system while raising up the richly complex interior lives of people struggling to become truly free.
Joseph House
& Fr. Dustin Feddon
Joseph House
Joseph House is a home and re-entry community committed to creating a welcoming and restorative environment for individuals transitioning from incarceration. Located in the heart of Tallahassee, Joseph House is more than a halfway house, it is a true home with a special focus on drawing close in proximity and accompanying men as they reintegrate into society. It is a mission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.
Fr. Dustin Feddon
Fr. Dustin Feddon is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and the Founder and Executive Director of Joseph House. As a seminarian, he began his ministry to men in prison and those on death row, and imagined a place where men leaving prison could find peace, dignity and a place to belong. This led to the founding of Joseph House and its ministry of accompaniment and proximity in Tallahassee, Florida.
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"This extraordinary book is a testament to the power of grace and kindness to heal. We should all learn from it."
Bryan Stevenson
Founder, Equal Justice Initiative and NYT Bestselling Author of "Just Mercy"
"This is a book of both devastating losses as well as new beginnings, of radical companionship whose stories reveal the human cost of unjust carceral systems while relaying stories of change through community, companionship, and advocacy."
Sister Helen Prejean
author of "Dead Man Walking" and leading voice for the abolition of the death penalty
"This is not a book about success stories, as much as it is about lessons learned and the growing awareness of the author. Fr. Dustin learns much from the people he encounters in prisons, in church, at Joseph House, and wherever he finds himself. Like all of us who are engaged in ministry, he no doubt asks himself often, “Who is really being helped here?”
Most Reverend William Wack
Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
"With clarity and compassion, Fr. Dustin reveals the quiet humanity of men we’re taught to fear, and the spiritual depth found in accompaniment. This is a rare and powerful meditation on mercy, presence, and the possibility of redemption.”
Gilbert King
author of the Pulitzer prizewinning "Devil in the Grove"
"More Than Half Way Home offers a sacred glimpse into what restoration looks like after the ravages of trauma, dehumanization, and alienation; it can renew any world-weary heart."
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy
Executive Director, Catholic Mobilizing Network
"At its heart, More Than Half Way Home is Father Dustin Feddon’s case for accompaniment – choosing presence and proximity where the criminal legal system holds fast to isolation, distance, and control. This urgently needed book offers a practical frame for real change: relationships oriented around love, hope, and trust."
Hannah Chesterton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminology, The Catholic University of America
How do I book Fr. Dustin for an interview or speaking engagement?
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Please direct all media and event inquiries to bookinfo@josephhouseus.org.
Can I purchase "More Than Halfway Home" in bulk?
Yes! Bulk ordering options are available. Please reach out to bookinfo@josephhouseus.org for details.
Are there discussion questions or a study guide available?
Absolutely! You can reach out via bookinfo@josephhouseus.org and we will email it to you.
How does this book support the work of Joseph House?
The book shares Fr. Dustin’s personal journey into prison ministry and how that experience led to the founding of Joseph House. All author proceeds directly support the mission and ongoing work of Joseph House.
What is Joseph House?
Joseph House is a ministry of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee located in Tallahassee, Florida. It’s a home and community for men returning to society after incarceration. More than a halfway house, it is a sober, therapeutic environment that offers trauma-informed care, access to healthcare and job training, and—most importantly—a sense of belonging, dignity, and hope.
Where can I learn more about Joseph House?
Visit us at www.josephhouseus.org to learn more about our mission and programs.
How can I support or get involved with Joseph House?
We’d love to have you join us in this mission of restoration and hope. Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Pray for Us – Your prayers sustain us as we walk alongside our brothers each day.
- Get Informed – Learn more about the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by those who are incarcerated.
- Give Financially – Your generosity helps us provide stable housing, holistic care, and long-term support for our residents—both while they’re at Joseph House and as they transition to independent living. Donate here.
Your support goes towards creating a home.
Your tax-deductible donations directly help those in need of a place of belonging, providing support services that restore dignity to the formerly incarcerated, and developing educational and volunteer opportunities for the wider community to engage in peace and justice.
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