§ 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.