ACLU of RI Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Woonsocket Man Unlawfully Arrested Twice, Incarcerated for 31 Days

In a disturbing case of serious police misconduct, ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys have filed a lawsuit today on behalf of a Woonsocket resident, Mack Blackie, who was twice unlawfully and falsely arrested and detained by Woonsocket police

Mack Blackie Unlawfully Arrested Twice, Incarcerated for 31 Days

24 Facts About the 1986 Constitutional Convention that Question 1 Supporters Don’t Want You to Think About

On November 5, Question 1 on the ballot will ask voters if they wish to approve the calling of a state constitutional convention. The ACLU of Rhode Island strongly opposes this ballot question.

24 Facts About the 1986 Constitutional Convention that Question 1 Supporters Don’t Want You to Think About

Letter to Department of Education Calls for Immediate Action to Address Providence School Bus Transportation Fiasco

Responding to a “catastrophic” failure of school transportation services in Providence that left many students with disabilities stranded in getting to or from school last week, the ACLU of Rhode Island, joined by the R.I. Center for Justice, today sent a letter to state Dept. of Education.

Letter to Department of Education Calls for Immediate Action to Address Providence School Bus Transportation Fiasco

ACLU of RI's Statement on Cranston Mayor's Executive Order to Remove Encampments

ACLU of RI's statement on an executive order just issued by the Cranston’s Mayor that unilaterally giving the police department broad power to remove encampments.

ACLU of RI's Statement on Cranston Mayor's Executive Order

After “Mario’s Law” Court Vindication, Namesake Released from ACI After 22 Years

Mario Monteiro, the namesake of “Mario’s Law,” the state law designed to give youthful offenders with long prison sentences the opportunity to apply for parole after 20 years, was released from the ACI today after serving more than 22 years in prison for a crime he committed at the age of 17.

Mario Monteiro has been released

ACLU Settles Suit on Behalf of Pawtucket Firefighters After Unlawful Search of Personal Lockers

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today announced the settlement of a federal lawsuit against Pawtucket city officials on behalf of five firefighters whose personal lockers at the fire station were searched by police without their knowledge or consent.

LeBlanc v City of Pawtucket Settled

ACLU of RI Files Three Lawsuits on Behalf of Families of ACI Prisoners Who Died by Suicide

Cooperating attorneys for the ACLU of Rhode Island have today filed three lawsuits against Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) supervisors and staff on behalf of the family members of three individuals who died by suicide at the prison within the span of five months last year.

Lawsuit Filed: Deaths at the ACI

RI Supreme Court Orders Parole Board to Consider Release of Mario Monteiro in Response to ACLU of RI Lawsuit

In a major victory for criminal justice reform and the rights of youthful offenders, the Rhode Island Supreme Court today ruled that Mario Monteiro and other similarly situated teenagers and young adults are eligible for parole consideration for release to the community after serving twenty years.

Mario Monteiro eligible for parole, RI Supreme Court rules

Nine Organizations Call for Independent Investigation after Recent Deaths at the State Prison

After reports of four deaths of incarcerated individuals at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) in a period of three months, nine community organizations have called for an independent investigation of the deaths and greater transparency from the R.I. Department of Corrections (DOC).

Letter - Deaths at the ACI