What Is a Veterans Service Unit?
A Veterans Service Unit, or VSU, is a specialized correctional housing and programming environment for Veterans Incarcerated.
A successful VSU does much more than place veterans in the same housing unit. It creates a structured community built around the positive values associated with military service—including service, accountability, discipline, teamwork, integrity and responsibility.
Within that environment, Veterans Incarcerated are encouraged to support one another, participate in meaningful programs, rebuild a sense of purpose and prepare for successful lives both during incarceration and after release.
The National Institute of Corrections found that veteran-specific units can provide a safer and more productive environment while improving access to programs, veteran resources, community organizations and release-planning assistance. The strongest units use military identity as a starting point—but focus on personal growth, responsibility and service to others.
The Veterans Service Unit
Flag Decommissioning (or retirement)
March 2023 - Present
29,552 Federal, State, and Military Branch flags retired and destroyed with 4,053 Service hours completed by 67 members.
Poppy Program
November 2019 - Present
88,000 American Legion Poppies assembled with 5,111 Service hours completed by 79 members.
Crochet Program
May 2018 - Present
The beginning days of the crochet program stated in 2010 with 8 skeins of yarn. Now the members create toys, sweaters, hats, scarves, and blankets. Dozens of lap afghans have been made for our comrades in wheelchairs at the Boise and Post Falls veterans homes.
Veterans Talking To Veterans
(VTTV) Program
October 2025 - Present
Every VTTV coach is a veteran who combines lived military experience with professional coach training, specialized tools, and ongoing development. VTTV is not a peer support program. It is a professional coaching model created by and for the veteran community.
Day One Program
December 2018-Present
Day One program—founded by Idaho veteran and returning citizen Mark Person alongside the nonprofit A New Path—provides hands-on, peer-led re-entry support to help individuals successfully transition from incarceration back into the community, focusing intensely on the critical first 24 to 48 hours.
Bicycle Rehabilitation Project
March 2019 - Present
1,497 Bicycles refurbished and donated with 16,377 Service hours completed by 93 members.
American Legion Post 201
May 2018 - Present
American Legion ISCC Post #201 is made up of members from the Idaho State Correction Center. There have been 87 members in ISCC Post #201 since it formed in 2018, 40 members are currently active.
Results that matter, programs at the ISCC VSU
Identifying veterans and housing them together as foundational—not incidental—to a successful Veterans Service Unit. By housing veterans together in an environment that inspires military culture, values, and a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood, these units are not only promoting safety improvements, but also restoration, healing, and growth…”
—Barracks Behind Bars II
A Safe, Structured Community
Successful VSUs maintain clear expectations, consistent routines and a clean, orderly living environment. Structure creates stability and allows programming, peer support and personal growth to take place.
Veterans Helping Veterans
Shared military experience creates an immediate connection. Veterans can often reach and challenge one another in ways that others cannot.
Peer support does not replace professional treatment or correctional supervision. Its strength is in positive example, mutual accountability, encouragement and the reminder that no veteran must walk the path forward alone.
Veteran Leadership
Veterans Incarcerated should have meaningful opportunities to contribute to the unit through peer mentorship, program facilitation, service projects and positive leadership.
Established units have found that long-term participants can provide valuable stability, credibility and continuity. A strong VSU does not merely deliver services to veterans—it develops veterans who can responsibly serve others.
Trained Staff and Volunteers
Successful VSUs depend on staff and volunteers who understand:
Good intentions are not enough. Poorly trained volunteers can damage trust, create boundary problems and undermine the unit.
Strong Partnerships
No single organization can meet every need of Veterans Incarcerated. Sustainable VSUs build working relationships with correctional leadership, the Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran service organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, employers, treatment providers and community volunteers.
These partnerships bring knowledge and resources into the institution and help create continuity after release.
Walk Slow. Stand Together. Serve Always.