Agency Operations
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections, as an integral component of the criminal justice system, contributes to the protection of society by providing appropriate safe, secure, and humane control of offenders, and also actively encourages and assists offenders to become productive and law abiding members of the community.
Additionally, the Rhode Island State Parole Board is budgeted as a unit of the Department, although that body has independent progmmatic decision making authority.
Collectively known as the Adult Correctional Institutions
(ACI), there are seven separate occupied facilities which have a total
capacity of 3,441 beds. Additionally, within the ACI there is one closed
facility (Bernadette Work Release Facility) which has a capacity of 212
beds. Hence, the total potential capacity of existing facilities
is 3,774. In FY 1997, the total population was 3,240. The Department also
provides supervision of offenders in the community (home confinement, probation,
and parole). In FY 1996, the average community supervision population was
18,184. The Department is responsible for transportation of the adult and
juvenile populations to court facilities, and transports inmates to and
from other states. Other major functions performed by the department include
serving other state, municipal and non-profit agencies through the Central
Distribution Center, performance of all grounds maintenance activities
at the Howard Complex and other public grounds, operation of the Federal
Surplus Property Program and Correctional Industries which provide work
opportunities for inmates and services to government agencies and non-profit
organizations ranging from printing to modular workstation furniture construction/installation.
Statutory History
Title 42 Chapter 56 of the Rhode Island General Laws established
Corrections as a department in 1972 and defines the Department's role as
both custodial and rehabilitative. Section 4 was amended in 1991 to reflect
an internal reorganization. Sections 20.2 and 20.32 were amended in 1989
to authorize community confinement programs. The Parole Board is authorized
under Title 13 Chapter 8 of the Rhode Island General Laws, and probation
and parole services are authorized under Title 12 Chapter 18 of the Rhode
Island General Laws.
©1997 Rhode Island Department of Corrections, MIS Unit.