Sarcouncil Journal of Education and Sociology

Abstract: This narrative literature review synthesizes U.S. focused evidence (2018 to 2025) on case-management and one-stop reentry navigation models designed to improve employment, housing, and recidivism outcomes for people returning from incarceration. Drawing on 30 peer-reviewed studies, federal evaluations, and program reports identified through targeted searches in JSTOR, ProQuest Criminal Justice, PubMed, Google Scholar, and NCJRS, the review classifies interventions into five typologies (intensive case management, peer navigation, one-stop centers, hybrids, and vendor vs. public models). Drawing on federal evaluations, mixed-methods studies, and program reports, the review classifies interventions into five typologies (intensive case management, peer navigation, one-stop centers, hybrids, and vendor vs. public models) and maps inputs to short-term outputs, intermediate outcomes, and long-term impacts. It maps inputs to short-term outputs, intermediate outcomes, and long-term impacts. The review adopts a narrative synthesis approach, integrating findings across diverse study designs and weighing evidence toward stronger methodologies and longer follow-up periods. Findings show consistent short-term gains in service linkage (e.g., appointments kept, benefits enrollment, job-search starts) and modest employment and housing improvements where programs feature higher intensity, employer or housing partnerships, credentialing, interoperable data systems, and paid, supervised peer staff. Evidence on durable recidivism and sustained earnings is mixed. Stronger results occur in high-fidelity, longer-duration programs, while many effects attenuate by 12-24 months. Key mediators include contact intensity, linkage quality, and service scope; moderators include local labor markets, rural or urban context, and participant demographics. Cost-effectiveness data are limited and sensitive to assumptions about scale and follow-up duration. The review recommends policy levers such as multi-year, performance-tied funding, standardized peer-training and supervision, integrated data and intake systems, and employer and housing partnerships to translate linkage into lasting outcomes. It also advocates for more randomized and longitudinal studies, standardized outcome definitions, and routine fiscal modeling to strengthen causal inference and inform scalable investments.