Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Prisons In The State of Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections(RIDOC) operates all the prison systems of this small US state.

The Department ensures public safety and offers services that could help in the successful reintegration of prisoners back into society after their release.

The Department promotes the human correctional environment in Adult Correctional Institutions(ACI).

It stays committed to reducing the risk of recidivism by offering united management, rehabilitation services, and surveillance to all kinds of offenders(they can be in a state of pretrial custody, imprisonment, supervision, sentenced to home detention, or released on Probation Supervision).

The Rhode Prison system is classified into Level 1, the minimum security state, and Level 3, the maximum security state. Following are the prisons/facilities that fall under the jurisdiction of RIDOC.

For Males

• Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center
• High-Security Center
• Maximum Security Prison
• John J. Moran Medium Security Facility
• Minimum Security
• Donald Price Medium Security Facility (Closed)

For Females

• The Gloria McDonald Women’s Facility (WOM)
• Dorothea Dix Minimum Security Facility / Bernadette Building (Closed)

Prison levels classification by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections

RIDOC prison-level classification is based on security measures, freedom levels, offender’s needs management, and risks the community might face in case of a prisoner’s escape.

The three levels of Rhode Island prisons are as follows:

Level 1 or Minimum Security Prison

Low-risk criminals who are about to be released from imprisonment are housed in this level of prison.

It has the least stringent security measures and can have fewer employees and fewer staff watching over prisoners' movements. Additionally, work-release programs may be available in minimum security prisons, enabling inmates to work outside the facility during the day and return at night.

• Level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and Level 5 Prisons In California

Level 2 or Medium Security Prison

Offenders representing a moderate risk to the public's safety are placed at this prison level.

It still contains numerous layers of security, including fencing, guards, and strict surveillance of inmate movements, but the security procedures are less restrictive than in maximum protection.

Level 3 or Maximum Security Prison

The most dangerous and violent offenders are confined to this level of detention. It features the highest security controls on prisoner movement and the highest level of security arrangements, such as armed guards, numerous fence tiers, and multiple layers of fencing.

Note that Rhode Island does not operate any Level 4 prisons

In the following section, we will take a detailed view of all three housing facilities found on the grounds of Pastore Government Center in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Prisons In The State of Rhode Island

Minimum Security

The Minimum Security Facility (MIN), Level 1 prison first welcomed visitors in a former hospital building in 1978.

The complex grew to incorporate a second building by 1989. And in 1992, a connecting expansion was built, uniting the two structures into one complex with a 710-inmate capacity.

Unless they have a medical condition that precludes them from doing so, all eligible offenders held in MIN are expected to work, either inside the facility, at a Work Release Program, on community service projects, or actively seeking employment.

John J. Moran Medium Security Facility

"The 29-acre John J. Moran Medium Security Facility (MED) is a Level 2 prison constructed between 1990 and 1992.

It is intended to house adult male criminals with a medium detention level. It is the largest RIDOC institution, having a total of 1,186 beds.

The purpose of the programs provided at MED is to get the prisoners ready for successful reentry into society.

It has several businesses, such as a clothing and furniture/upholstery store, a license plate store, a carpentry company, and an auto body shop.

The institution also contains a gym, a vast outdoor entertainment space, and a structure for education and programming."

Gloria McDonald Women’s Facility

The Gloria McDonald Women's Facility (WOM) opened in December 2010 and has three security levels for pretrial detainees (Level 1, Level 2, and work release).

The facility is built in a hospital building that has been expanded and altered; it was initially intended as a male Reintegration Center.

The facility has a capacity of 187 offenders and an average inmate population of 101 (FY22)

Read: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Prisons In The State of Alaska

Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center

Male inmates are housed in the Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center (ISC), a Level 3 facility.

It handles the initial processing and classification of inmates and serves as the main entry point for anyone entering the Rhode Island correctional system. It incorporates the correctional facility and the prison under a single department.

The ISC's north wing was added in 1992, while the south wing was constructed in 1982. The ISC also functions as a temporary holding facility for people awaiting transfer to other facilities within the RIDOC system.

The institution has 1,148 beds available. The ISC's pretrial inmate population frequently changes because the average stay there is 27 days.

Around 50 prisoners are taken to court daily, and 20 are moved to other detention centers within the RIDOC's Adult Correctional Institutions weekly. In addition, the ISC processes about 706 new admissions each month.

High-Security Center

The HSC is a Level 3 prison that accommodates some of the state's most dangerous and high-risk offenders.  HSC shelters 166 prisoners at a time. It is designed to provide the highest degree of security and control, and its facilities and staff are dedicated to preserving the safety of inmates and personnel.

It has a Rehabilitation Treatment Unit (RTU) that provides structure, care, and therapy as an alternative to housing units with heavy restrictions.

The prisoner population has access to a church, a barbershop, a classroom, and a classification board room. There is also a library containing literature on both legal and leisure subjects.

Maximum Security

They are also known as the Howard-Level 3 prison. Previously, criminals serving time and those awaiting trial were housed at Maximum Security Prisons (MAX).

It is surrounded by a wall with five observation towers and a double chain-link security fence (fitted with an electronic intrusion detection system to prevent and detect escape attempts).

A total of 466 inmate beds are available at the institution. Its population includes prisoners serving lengthy sentences for various crimes and those serving shorter sentences who were moved to MAX from other prisons due to major behavioral or discipline issues.

The facility comprises six interiors, one disciplinary confinement unit, a kitchen/dining area, a recreation yard, an education/gym building, and an industrial area.

In addition, maximum Security employs 190 criminals for facility maintenance services. Inmates also work in various fields, including the print shop, carpentry, kitchen, laundry, barbershop, and library, as well as in residential buildings and entertainment areas.

Programs and services offered by RIDOC

With the aid of the educational and professional programs offered by RIDOC. Inmates can learn new skills to help them reintegrate into society. In addition, RIDOC assists offenders in recovering from addiction and lowering their risk of recidivism.

Mental health treatments are offered to meet offenders' psychological and emotional needs. Religious services are provided to help offenders with their spiritual requirements. In addition, RIDOC helps inmates in adjusting to life outside of prison.

Read more related articles;

• Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Prisons In The State of Montana
• Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Prisons In The State of Arkansas
• Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Prisons In The State of Arizona