Are Rhode Island Inmate Records Public Information?
Yes. According to the Access to Public Records Act, Rhode Island inmate records are public records. This ensures that all Rhode Island inmate records maintained by law enforcement agencies can be inspected or copied by the general public. For instance, record seekers can retrieve information about inmates using the Rhode Island inmate locator on the State Department of Corrections (RIDOC) website.
Specifically, the search results will reveal information on who’s in custody like the inmate’s ID, full name, race, gender, age, last residence, security, sentences, and charges. Individuals seeking to understand how to find out why someone in jail can contact the RIDOC. Alternatively, record seekers can conduct a Rhode Island inmate search using the federal inmate search tool available on the Federal Bureau of Prisons website to search for information about inmates housed in federal prisons.
Rhode Island Inmate Search
Inmate records are documents with information on persons serving time in a correctional facility in Rhode Island. Generally, information obtained from these documents includes the Rhode Island inmate mugshots, biodata including full name, sex, and date of birth, as well as sentencing information, such as a summary criminal history, charges, DOC number, bail/bond amount, sentence length/life sentences, and release date. This information is open to interested members of the public per the Access to Public Records Act, and it helps in knowing who’s in custody. The Department of Corrections (DOC) is the central repository where record seekers can inspect or obtain inmate records by conducting a Rhode Island inmate search. Anyone seeking to know how to find someone in jail should contact the DOC.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and, therefore, are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
How to Find Someone in Jail in Rhode Island
Sometimes, people seek information on how to find someone in jail to ascertain if someone they know has been arrested. Individuals can find someone in jail by contacting the Department of Public Safety Division of Sheriffs at (401) 275-2900.
Alternatively, interested persons can use the federal inmate search tool available on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website to find someone in jail. A typical Rhode Island inmate search will reveal the inmate's full name, register number, age, race, sex, and release date/life sentence. Record seekers who want to understand how to find out why someone is in jail should contact the BOP at (202) 307-3198.
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Rhode Island Prison and Jail
The RIDOC allows interested parties to send funds to incarcerated individuals using various methods, including:
- By phone
- By mail
- Online
- In-person
- Through a kiosk
Individuals who wish to send funds to someone in prison must be on the inmate's visiting list. One option is to deposit by phone by calling the toll-free number (866) 345-1884. Phone call deposits come with a fee of $3.95. Another option is to make an internet deposit into an inmate's account via Access Corrections. The sender must know the inmate's identification number and full name. Meanwhile, individuals who wish to make in-person deposits may visit the inmate accounts office during business hours. Also, senders can also visit nearby kiosks to send money to a person in prison. On the other hand, persons sending money through the mail can make personal checks or money orders payable to:
Rhode Island Department of Corrections
Inmate Accounts Office
51 West Road, Building 138
Cranston, RI 02920
How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in Rhode Island Prisons and Jails
Visitation rules are standard for both prisons and jails in Rhode Island. While the RIDOC sets general guidelines for prison and jail visitations, each facility sets the visiting schedule. Before visiting, the individual must know the facility where the incarcerated individual is currently serving time. Persons who do not know the facility of incarceration may use the RIDOC prison lookup tool to perform a free inmate search by name or identification number.
Once the intending visitor confirms the facility of incarceration, they must apply for visitation privileges. The facility administrator typically performs national and state background checks before allowing the individual to visit. Note that all visitors must present valid, government-issued photo identification at the reception desk during visitations.
How to Find a County Inmate Roster in Rhode Island
A record seeker can find a county inmate roster in Rhode Island by contacting the Department of Public Safety Division of Sheriffs at (401) 275-2900. They can also visit the Division in person between Monday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at:
Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs
670 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Alternatively, record seekers can obtain county inmate roster from the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC). The DOC has a Rhode Island inmate locator that record seekers can use to search for inmate rosters. Interested persons who want to know why someone is in jail can contact the DOC or Division of Sheriffs.
How to Perform a Rhode Island Prison Inmate Search
The RIDOC maintains a central online repository to find a person in jail in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island inmate lookup tool is available for public inspection online using the inmate's identification number or full name. However, name-based searches tend to return several results. Providing additional information, such as the inmates' race, sex, and age, helps narrow down the search results. Note that juvenile inmate records in Rhode Island are not publicly available under the state's public records law.
How to Perform a Rhode Island County Jail Inmate Search
The state of Rhode Island does not have city or county jails. However, interested parties can run a Rhode Island inmate lookup through local police department websites. All other information regarding incarcerated individuals can be found on the RIDOC website.
Rhode Island State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference
Rhode Island's state prisons and county jails are operated by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC). The department is responsible for the custody and care of all inmates in the state's prison and jail system.
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections operates six state prisons, including the Gloria McDonald Women’s Facility (WOM) in Cranston and the John J. Moran Medium Security Facility in Bristol. The WOM houses adult female offenders, while the Moran Facility houses adult male offenders. As of FY22, below was the average population of inmates in Rhode Island prisons:
- Maximum Security Facility (MAX): 312
- The Gloria McDonald Women’s Facility (WOM): 101
- Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center (ISC): 763
- Minimum Security facility (MIN): 123
- John J. Moran Facility: 753
- The High-Security Center (HSC): 80
Most inmates housed in state prisons are between 20 and 39 years old. Female offenders awaiting trial are approximately 32 years old, while male offenders are 35 years. The average age of a sentenced female offender is 37, while sentenced male offenders are 39 years.
In addition to these six state facilities, the Rhode Island Department of Corrections also oversees seven county jails. These facilities are located in Newport County, Washington County, Kent County, Providence County, Newport County, Washington County, and Kent County.
The Department of Public Safety Division of Sheriffs operates Rhode Island county jails. Each county jail is responsible for the custody and care of all inmates in their facility.
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections also operates a pre-release center in Cranston, which is a halfway house for offenders who are nearing the end of their sentence. The pre-release center provides offenders with resources and support to help them transition back into society.
Record seekers who want to find out why someone is in jail should reach out to the RIDOC or use the Rhode Island inmate lookup tool on their website.
How to Find an Inmate Release Date
Rhode Island Inmate records obtained from the State prison lookup tool will contain an inmate's release date unless the record custodian restricts the information for privacy or security reasons. In such cases, only the inmate's immediate family members, crime victims, attorneys, and authorized law enforcement officials will have access to the inmate's exact release date. At best, the public will only have access to the month and year of release.
Facilities Operated by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) oversees a total of 7 adult correctional Institutions (ACI) (5 male and two female) located in the Pastore Government Center Complex in Cranston, Rhode Island. This list contains the physical address and contact information of the state prisons in Rhode Island:
Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center
18 Slate Hill Road
P.O. Box 8249
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-3801
High-Security Center
54 Power Road
P.O. Box 8200
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-1266
Maximum Security
1375 Pontiac Avenue
P.O. Box 8273
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-2637
Bernadette Building (Women's Minimum & Work Release)
15 Fleming Road
Cranston, RI 02920
Gloria McDonald Women's Facility
20 Fleming Road
P.O. Box 8312
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-2366
Minimum Security
16 Howard Avenue
P.O. Box 8212, Cranston 02920
Phone: (401) 462-1234
John J. Moran Medium Security Facility
51 West Road
P.O. Box 8274,
Cranston 02920
Phone: (401) 462-3702
Record seekers who want to know how to find someone in jail can contact any of the aforementioned correctional facilities.
