Official Site of The State of New Jersey
NJDOC Launches Groundbreaking Reentry Initiative for Incarcerated Veterans
Posted on 01/28/2026
The New Jersey Department of Corrections has launched a new initiative focused on improving reentry outcomes for incarcerated veterans through earlier coordination and sustained support. Formalized through a memorandum of understanding, the initiative connects veterans to services while they are still in custody and continues that support after release.
Veterans in the correctional system often enter custody with unmet needs related to their military service, including access to health care, behavioral health treatment, housing, and employment. In many cases, connections to those services are delayed until after release, creating gaps that make successful reentry more difficult. This initiative is designed to address those gaps sooner and more consistently.
Through the program, incarcerated veterans are identified and verified earlier in their sentence. Participants receive individualized case management and reentry planning, along with connections to eligible VA benefits, medical and behavioral health services, legal assistance, employment readiness, and housing resources. Support does not end at release. The initiative emphasizes continuity of care by linking veterans to community-based services that promote long-term stability.
This work aligns with NJDOC’s broader efforts to strengthen reentry and rehabilitation. The Department recently established a Division of Women and Veterans Services to provide dedicated oversight and coordination for these populations.
The initiative is supported through collaboration with the New Jersey Reentry Corporation and Education and Health Centers of America, and will be implemented at East Jersey State Prison. By coordinating services earlier and sustaining support after release, NJDOC aims to improve outcomes for veterans, strengthen families, and enhance public safety across New Jersey.
