Parole Eligibility & Public Comment
Parole Eligibility & Public Comment
Anyone may write to the Parole Board and offer comments on a candidate scheduled for a parole hearing pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 13-8-26. Written comments may be submitted by victims, family members, friends, advocates, community members, or any other interested person. Written comments may include information about the offense, the impact of the offense, public safety concerns, release planning, rehabilitation, institutional conduct, community support, or any other information the writer wants the Board to consider.
When writing to the Board, please include your name, address, and contact information. To help ensure that written comments are received before the hearing, please make every effort to submit them by the first of the month. Submit written comments by mail or e-mail
The Board reviews written comments as part of the parole consideration process. Written comments should identify the person scheduled for parole consideration and may include any information the writer wishes the Board to consider.
Victim Input
In addition to the opportunity for written public comment, Rhode Island law provides victims of crime with notice and, upon request, an opportunity to address the Parole Board regarding the impact of the crime. Victim input may be provided in writing or in person.
Victims who wish to provide input, request a meeting, or ask questions about the parole process may contact the Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services or the Parole Board Office.
Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services: 401-462-0381
Parole Board Office: 401-462-0900
Generally speaking, Rhode Island law allows most eligible inmates to be considered for parole after they have served one-third (1/3) of their prison sentence. Life sentences, sentences for first- or second-degree murder, sentences for first-degree child abuse, and consecutive sentence terms have different parole eligibility calculations. Certain “habitual criminal” sentences or "life without parole" sentences are not eligible for parole. Please refer to the Links to RI law governing parole for specifics.
Once a person is sentenced by the court, the Department of Corrections calculates parole eligibility on that sentence (or sentences) and each month provides a list to the Parole Board of eligible inmates to be scheduled for parole consideration.
We publish a list of parole-eligible candidates monthly in The Providence Journal and also to the RI Secretary of State public meetings website. While we make all efforts to publish the list on this website as a courtesy, official listings, and all formal meeting agendas are posted to the Open Meetings section of the SOS.ri.gov website in advance of hearings days.
General Parole Questions
General parole questions by family members or friends of inmates regarding parole eligibility, medical or geriatric parole, or coordination of parole release plans for persons who have been granted parole may be directed to:
Department of Corrections Office of the Parole Coordinator: 401-462-3926