Legislation

We opposed legislation which would create an “animal abuse registry” similar to the registration requirements already in effect for persons convicted of sex offenses.

We supported this legislation which codifies the collection of certain demographic data – specifically race, sex, country of origin, and level of education – from individuals entering the custody of the state Department of Corrections.

We urged that this Article be amended to expand the state’s “medical parole” statute to be inclusive of LWOP sentences as a matter of compassionate and fiscally responsible policy.

In supporting a bill which sought to address the barriers that justice-involved individuals often face in finding housing, we urged amendments to better ensure that the goal of the legislation is met.

This important legislation would have provided individuals protection from prosecution for certain drug crimes if they had contacted police to address any medical emergency, not just a drug overdose.

We strongly supported legislation which would have required fiscal impact analyses for any bills which increase or put in place criminal sentences.

We supported legislation which would have barred private prisons from operating in the state of Rhode Island entirely and limited the ability for carceral facilities in Rhode Island to cooperate with ICE.

We joined a number of organizations in supporting legislation which would have limited the ability for carceral facilities in Rhode Island to utilize solitary confinement.

We strongly supported legislation which would have bolstered the right to vote at the ACI by requiring the posting of voting rights information in its facilities and the appointment of a “jail voting coordinator” to assist incarcerated voters.