Governor Murphy’s SFY 2025 detailed budget recommendations for the Department of Corrections (DOC) total $1.11 billion, which is a decrease of $39.6 million or 3.4% from the SFY 2024 allocation of $1.14 billion. For more on the Governor’s overall budget proposal, please see our SFY 2025 Budget writeup.
The?Budget Language recommendations?remain?unchanged from the previous year, highlighting direct state services for SFY 2025 for management of financial resources to support NJ’s corrections facilities and programs pending the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.
Below is a review of DOC’s budget.
State Prison Facilities: The recommended budget for State prison facilities in SFY 2025 is $870.7 million, which is $16.9 million or 1.9% less than the adjusted appropriation of $887.6 million for SFY 2024. This reduction is due to operational costs being offset by federal resources, despite an increase in expenses for food, facility maintenance, fuel, and utilities.
Release Support: The SFY 2025 budget recommendation for systemwide program support totals $217.9 million, a decrease of $22 million or 9.2% below the SFY 2024 adjusted appropriation of $239.9 million. The decrease is associated with reductions in one-time costs included in SFY 2024, along with a shift of the Release Support Partnership Program to the Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Fund and other operational costs being supported by federal resources. These decreases are netted with growth that supports the increased daily population of State-sentenced incarcerated persons in county facilities, costs associated with the new law enforcement licensing program, the implementation of mail scanning services to detect illicit substances entering State facilities, and a new timekeeping system for custody officers.
Central Planning Direction and Management: The SFY 2025 budget recommendation for Central Planning, Direction, and Management is $21 million, which is $726,000 or 3.3% less than the fiscal 2024 adjusted appropriation of $21.7 million. This decrease is due to the elimination of one-time costs for replacing departmental buses that were included in the fiscal 2024 budget.
Department Objective: is responsible for public safety and supports successful reintegration in a secure, gender-informed, and rehabilitative environment, backed by a professional and diverse workforce. Organized into eight divisions Operations’;; Programs & Reintegration Services; Human Resources and Labor Relations; Administration; and Training, Recruitment, and Professional Development the DOC operates nine institutions housing about 14,050 incarcerated individuals. These facilities include units for men, women, and young males.
The Division of Human Resources and Labor Management employs nearly 6,000 staff, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws regarding salaries and benefits. The Division of Administration manages a $1.11 billion budget, overseeing financial management, IT, and DEPTCOR State Use Industries. Additional offices within the DOC include Public Information, Compliance and Strategic Planning, Policy and Planning, Employee Relations, and Equal Employment.
The DOC inspects county correctional and municipal detention facilities, operates specialized treatment units, and regulates residential community release programs.
These figures are based on the Governor’s proposal and may change based on public testimony, changes by the Legislature, and discussions with the Administration before its enactment by the end of June. The League will provide further updates as the budget process continues.