Who Succeeds? A Review of Theory and Research on the Moderators of Post-Incarceration Outcomes

In the United States, nearly all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released. This review takes stock of recent theory and research on factors that condition the effects of incarceration and lead to variation in outcomes among those reentering the community. Reentry success is a multidimensional construct that encompasses several interrelated life domains. A small set of conceptual frameworks has been used to explain why these life domains may become collateral consequences of incarceration. The review describes how social support, education and training, employment, public programs, healthcare and addiction treatment, contextual factors, and personal change and growth may counteract those harmful mechanisms and promote positive post-release outcomes. Programs and policies that strengthen families, build human capital, facilitate labor market attachment, address personal financial problems, and reduce substance use may improve directly targeted outcomes and may also have beneficial spillover effects on other domains of interest.