The Inmate Navigation,Enrollment,Support,and Treatment (INVEST) Program: Results From a Randomized Control Trial of a Jail Reentry Program for Adults With Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues

Abstract

The Inmate Navigation, Enrollment, Support, and Treatment (INVEST) program is a reentry intervention for persons who are detained with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. In a randomized controlled trial, 202 adults were assigned to either INVEST or standard reentry services. INVEST combined peer support, case management, and cognitive behavioral treatment during and after incarceration. Participants who successfully completed INVEST had significantly better outcomes: fewer rebookings, fewer days in jail, and more time in the community. Gains were found in access to support, resource use, and reduced stress around housing and justice obligations. Study limitations included low 6-month follow-up response rates, incomplete information on resource access at follow-up, and a lack of documented detail regarding services available to the comparison group after release. Because implementation occurred within a single jurisdiction, findings should be interpreted with caution in terms of broader applicability. Even with these constraints, results highlight the promise of integrated, peer-supported reentry approaches and underscore that effective reentry requires strengthening participants’ recovery capital and sustained engagement—not solely expanding service availability.