The NJDOC's facilities house a combined total of 20,000 inmates in minimum, medium and maximum security levels.

With this authority, Correctional Police Officers are required to enforce NJRS 2C (New Jersey Criminal Code) within the scope of their employment.

[4] New Jersey State Correctional Police Officers are authorized to carry on duty the Smith & Wesson M&P in 9×19mm Parabellum.

All off-duty firearms and ammunition must conform to the approved list provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

[11] On December 17, 2007, Governor Jon Corzine signed a bill passed by the New Jersey General Assembly passed which abolishes the death penalty, making New Jersey the first state to legislatively eliminate capital punishment since 1965.