Official Site of The State of New Jersey
NJDOC Expands Division to Strengthen Services for Women and Veterans
Posted on 11/21/2025
The New Jersey Department of Corrections has expanded and renamed its Division of Women’s Services, marking an important step in the Department’s ongoing commitment to safety, dignity, and rehabilitation. The new unit will operate as the Division of Women and Veterans Services reflecting a broadened mission to support incarcerated veterans while continuing the Division’s established work with incarcerated women.
Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn said the expansion reinforces the Department’s responsibility to ensure that all individuals in custody receive appropriate services and a safe environment.
“This change strengthens the foundation we have already built and extends it to meet the needs of a growing veteran population,” said Commissioner Kuhn. “Women and veterans often arrive with different life experiences, but our obligation to provide care grounded in safety, dignity, and rehabilitation is the same.”
Since its creation in 2021, the Division has served as the Department’s central point for women’s services. It has led NJDOC initiatives that promote safety and equitable treatment in women’s facilities, with responsibilities that include:
- Compliance with federal and state sexual safety regulations
- Policy development and staff training
- Audits that ensure safe and secure environments
- Oversight of settlement agreement obligations related to gender responsive operations
These responsibilities continue as the Division’s scope expands.
Assistant Commissioner Helena Tomé, who will lead the Division, said the expansion builds on years of focused work.
“Our team has spent the last several years improving safety, strengthening practice, and expanding training,” Tomé said. “This next phase allows us to apply that same standard of care to the veterans we serve across the state.”
The Division now houses the newly established Office of Veterans Services, which will oversee specialized supports for incarcerated veterans across all NJDOC facilities. These services may include:
- Veteran specific workshops and discussion groups
- Mental health, substance use, and reentry planning supports
- Assistance with VA benefits, DD214 access, and identification documents
The expansion comes during a period when communities across the country honor individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Many veterans in custody live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, substance use disorders, or related conditions that affect stability and wellbeing. These factors can influence involvement with the criminal justice system and highlight the need for coordinated, veteran-focused supports.
The Division of Women and Veterans Services represents a meaningful advancement in the Department’s commitment to a safe, humane, and rehabilitative environment. It strengthens continuity of care for women and veterans and reinforces NJDOC’s responsibility to support individuals as they prepare for a successful return to the community.
