Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. A data processing circuit is disclosed that includes: a data detector circuit, a first symbol constrained arrangement circuit, and a second symbol constrained arrangement circuit. The data detector circuit is operable to apply a data detection algorithm to a combination of a first input data set and a decoded data set to yield a detected output that includes a number of non-binary symbols. The first symbol constrained arrangement circuit is operable to receive the detected output and to re-arrange the detected output in accordance with a first arrangement algorithm to yield a re-arranged output. The bits for at least one non-binary symbol from the detected output are maintained together in the re-arranged output. The second symbol constrained arrangement circuit is operable to receive a second input data set and to re-arrange the second data input in accordance with a second arrangement algorithm to yield the decoded data set. The bits for at least one non-binary symbol from the second input data set are maintained together in the decoded data set output.