Rhode Island § 42-56-18 - Corrections Department

§ 42-56-18. Inmate furloughs.

(a) The classification board of the department of corrections provided for by § 42-56-30 by a vote of at least three (3) of the five (5) members and upon the approval of the director, or the director’s designee, may allow a person committed to the adult correctional institutions to leave that place on furlough within or without the state of Rhode Island; provided that, during the period of the furlough the person furloughed shall be deemed to remain committed to confinement to the adult correctional institutions. Whether or not the person is to be accompanied on furlough shall be determined by the director, or the director’s designee. The department of corrections may make an appropriate charge for the necessary expenses of accompanying a person on furlough. Those furloughs may be granted for a period of time not to exceed fourteen (14) days in any six-month (6) period for any of the following purposes:

(1) To visit a spouse, child, including a stepchild or adopted child, parent, including a stepparent or foster parent, grandparent, including a stepgrandparent, grandchild, or brother or sister, or half-brother or half-sister who is seriously ill or to attend the funeral or wake of any of these persons as determined by the department of corrections; or

(2) To obtain medical, psychiatric, or psychological services when adequate services are not otherwise available; or

(3) To make contracts for employment, for educational and/or vocational training activities not available at the adult correctional institutions; or

(4) To secure a residence upon release on parole or discharge; or

(5) To visit the person’s family, or other person(s) who has developed a regular pattern of visitation with the inmate as shall be determined suitable by the director, or the director’s designee; or

(6) To obtain a marriage license or other permits required by law to marry.

(b) It is further provided that the director, or in the director’s absence, the director’s designee, may permit emergency furloughs in categories (a)(1) and (a)(2) only, without the prior approval of the classification board when the director determines that an emergency exists; provided that, any emergency furlough shall terminate unless further extended by the requisite vote of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the classification board.

(c) It is further provided that eligibility for furloughs provided in categories (a)(3), (a)(4), and (a)(5) shall be limited to the following categories of committed persons:

(1) Those eligible for work, training, or education programs in accordance with the provisions of § 42-56-21.

(2) In the case of a person sentenced to imprisonment for life after having served not less than eight (8) years of the person’s sentence, and where there exists reasonable cause to believe that the person is trustworthy.

(d) The director shall annually, on or before the first Monday in February, submit a written report to the general assembly relative to the number of persons furloughed or to engage in work release under the provisions of § 42-56-21 during the preceding year, and shall include in the report a list of all criminal charges and convictions incurred by persons committed to the adult correctional institutions while in furlough or work release status.