Pathways began with orientation activities, which included assessments of occupational skills and career interests. Participants then worked three days per week and spent the other weekdays participating in nonwork activities provided by Pathways, such as job-readiness training, career-development workshops, and case management. Participants first worked in transitional jobs with street-cleaning crews or in the kitchen of the implementing organization, the Doe Fund. Next, they worked at a subsidized internship with a partner employer.

ATCs allowed state prisoners to serve a portion of their prison term living and working in the community. When first placed in an ATC, prisoners received counseling and participated in 35 hours a week of individualized education, public service, vocational training, and employment programming. After complying with ATC rules (for example, returning to the center at scheduled times) and the 35 hour a week participation requirements for 23 days, participants could seek employment in the community with support from the ATC.

The SCA Adult Demonstration Program provided a range of reentry services to adults who were recently incarcerated. Although the provision of services varied by location, all participants received individualized case management. Employment services were offered in all but one program location and included job-search and placement assistance; mentoring; and training that developed résumé writing, interviewing, and soft skills.

RecycleForce participants were placed in a subsidized job at a social enterprise (its own electronics recycling plant or a partner social enterprise), for which they received $9 per hour for up to 35 hours per week (and $10.10 per hour after March 2014). While working at their subsidized job, participants had access to case management, job development, financial support (for example, payments for drug testing, bus passes, or gas cards), assistance with child support issues, and peer mentors who taught job-related and soft skills.

Next STEP participants received 2 weeks of work-readiness training and then worked with a job developer to search for a private job with subsidized wages. The subsidized job lasted for 16 weeks, with a full subsidy for 8 weeks and a half subsidy for the subsequent 8 weeks. All employers agreed to retain participants if they did well, and hired participants were invited to quarterly job retention meetings. In addition to subsidized employment, participants had access to case management, mental health services, financial incentives, and legal assistance.