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SB 2977

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESTRICTIVE CONFINEMENT OVERSIGHT ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 6 co-sponsors

The bill would create an independent restrictive housing oversight system (an oversight committee and ombudsperson) to monitor, report on, and improve DOC confinement practices and

05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2977

Overview

SB 2977, introduced in the Rhode Island Senate (Session 2026), would establish a restrictive confinement oversight framework within the Department of Corrections (DOC). The bill creates a dedicated oversight committee, authorizes the appointment of an ombudsperson, and sets reporting, inspection, and transparency requirements related to restrictive housing, disciplinary confinement, and related conditions. It aims to improve monitoring, accountability, and protections for prisoners, with explicit attention to vulnerable populations.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a formal system to monitor and oversee the use of restrictive housing (solitary confinement), disciplinary confinement, and related confinement practices in Rhode Island’s DOC.
  • Establish an independent or semi-independent oversight mechanism (the restrictive housing oversight committee) and empower an ombudsperson to investigate complaints, inspect facilities, and promote awareness of inmates’ rights.
  • Require annual reporting and public accountability, including data disaggregation by housing location and inmate status.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Chapter 42-56.4)

  • Clarifies terms such as:
    • Basic necessities (clothing, adequate meals, water, sanitary facilities, shower, bedding, ventilation).
    • Cell (excludes shared spaces used for education, programming, recreation, or treatment; defines what counts as a cell).
    • Disciplinary confinement (confinement tied to rule violations).
    • General population vs. restricted housing.
    • Vulnerable population (mental illness, developmental disability, pregnancy/postpartum status, sensory impairments, or serious medical conditions that cannot be treated in restrictive housing).
    • Lockdown (temporary emergency period due to danger or staffing issues).

Disciplinary confinement standards (42-56.4-2)

  • Time out-of-cell requirements:
    • Up to 15 days in disciplinary confinement: minimum 2 hours out-of-cell per day (24-hour lockdowns may limit this up to 24 consecutive hours during facility-wide lockdowns).
    • Beyond 15 days: minimum 3 hours out-of-cell per day, with opportunity for meaningful social interaction.
    • In general population: at least 10 hours out-of-cell per day with opportunities for social interaction.
    • In any 30-day period: at least 3 hours out-of-cell per day for at least 15 days; no more than 15 days in a 30-day period with fewer than 3 hours.
  • Access to basic necessities must not be denied.

Reporting requirements (42-56.4-3)

  • DOC must produce an “annual restrictive housing report” available publicly online, starting one year after the act’s effective date and annually by January 31.
  • Report must include:
    • Number of prisoners in each status.
    • Infractions leading to removal from general population.
    • Lengths of terms outside general population (consecutive and cumulative).
    • Demographic breakdown (race, ethnicity, gender, religion) of prisoners outside general population.
    • Number of vulnerable-population members outside general population by category.
    • Average weekly out-of-cell time by confinement category both inside and outside general population.
  • The restrictive housing oversight committee can require additional information for the report.

Declaratory judgments (42-56.4-4)

  • Prisoners may file for declaratory judgment in Providence County Superior Court if DOC fails to perform duties under this chapter or if rules improperly interfere with rights.

Establishment of the Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee (Chapter 42-26)

  • Created within the Public Safety Grant Administration Office.
  • Composition (5 members):
    • A former prisoner who has experienced restrictive housing (appointed by a specific minority caucus).
    • A designee from a nonprofit focused on incarcerated welfare (appointed by the House Speaker).
    • A designee from Rhode Island NASW with mental health care expertise (appointed by the Senate President).
    • The Rhode Island public defender or designee.
    • The DOC director or designee.
  • Terms: staggered initial terms (two 2-year terms, two 1-year terms, thereafter 2-year terms). Vacancies filled similarly.
  • Functions:
    • Appoint and supervise an ombudsperson.
    • Review and supervise ombudsperson activities.
    • Meet at least quarterly to discuss matters with the ombudsperson.
    • Hold semiannual public hearings to discuss findings and recommendations.

Ombudsperson responsibilities (within the committee framework)

  • Receive/investigate complaints related to health, safety, welfare, and rights of incarcerated persons.
  • Identify DOC issues related to restrictive housing.
  • Ensure compliance with statutes, rules, and policies.
  • Provide information to inmates, families, and those on probation/parole.
  • Promote public awareness of rights and conditions related to restrictive housing.
  • Conduct random biannual inspections of restrictive housing areas (cells, recreation, programming) across facilities; inspections not publicly announced in advance.

Confidentiality and access

  • Communications and records between inmates and the ombudsperson/committee are confidential, with limited disclosure allowed for general findings or policy recommendations, ensuring no individually identifiable information is released.
  • The ombudsperson has access to non-privileged records necessary for duties and may privately communicate with inmates, subject to confidentiality rules.

Oversight and funding

  • The committee and ombudsperson must report to the Governor and DOC Director at least twice yearly.
  • Quorum and voting requirements for the committee.
  • Annual appropriations by the General Assembly for ombudsperson salary and related expenses; state controller to issue payments upon proper vouchers.

Who/what would be affected

  • The Department of Corrections (DOC) would experience new reporting, inspection, and compliance requirements.
  • Prisons and inmates, particularly those in restrictive or disciplinary confinement and vulnerable populations.
  • The newly created restrictive housing oversight committee and the appointed ombudsperson would oversee and interface with DOC operations.
  • Public and advocacy groups would gain access to annual reports and semiannual hearings, increasing transparency.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 25, 2026.
  • Annual reporting begins one year after the act’s effective date, with ongoing annual reports due January 31 thereafter.
  • Quarterly committee meetings and semiannual public hearings are required.
  • The act creates autonomous oversight with the ability to initiate declaratory judgments if rights are violated.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced oversight and transparency regarding the use of restrictive housing.
  • Increased protections for prisoners’ basic needs and out-of-cell time, with clearer standards for confinement durations.
  • Greater accountability for DOC practices through data reporting, inspections, and an independent ombudsperson.
  • Focus on vulnerable populations to ensure special considerations and protections are included in confinement decisions.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and may be subject to amendments during legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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