Rhode Island State Prisons
7 facilities- RI DOC - Bernadette Building
- RI DOC - Gloria McDonald Women's Facility
- RI DOC - High Security Center (HSC)
- RI DOC - John J. Moran Medium Security (MMSF)
- RI DOC - Maximum Security
Rhode Island County Jails
1 facilityRhode Island Department of Corrections
Rhode Island DOC offender search allows searches by RIDOC number or name. Rhode Island is unique - it operates the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) complex in Cranston, which serves as the single correctional facility for the entire state, functioning as both jail and prison. There are no separate county jails.
The official inmate search is available at www.doc.ri.gov/offender/search.php. Federal inmates from Rhode Island are typically at MDC Brooklyn (NY) or FCI Devens (MA).
Visitation in Rhode Island Facilities
Rhode Island DOC visitor approval is processed for the ACI complex. Processing takes 2 - 3 weeks. Because all facilities are in one location in Cranston, families across the small state are generally within an hour of the ACI.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Rhode Island prison directory.
Sending Mail to Rhode Island Inmates
Rhode Island DOC mail requires the RIDOC number. Because all facilities are at the ACI complex in Cranston, mail goes to one general address - but must include the specific unit name. Standard 4x6 photos accepted.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Rhode Island facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from Rhode Island Facilities
Rhode Island is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds the Rhode Island DOC contract.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Rhode Island prison directory.
Sending Money to Rhode Island Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Rhode Island:
- JPay (primary for RIDOC)
- Money orders mailed to ACI
- Lobby kiosks
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in Rhode Island
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Rhode Island:
- Rhode Island DOC Reentry - Official reentry programs
- Rhode Island Legal Services - Free civil legal help statewide
- Amos House - Providence-based comprehensive reentry services
- OpenDoors - Reentry services and advocacy in Rhode Island
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Prisons
Why does Rhode Island have only one correctional facility?
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US by land area - just 1,545 square miles - and abolished county governance in 1960. The Adult Correctional Institutions complex in Cranston serves as the state's entire correctional system: pretrial detention, sentenced inmates, and everything in between, all on one campus. With a state population of about 1.1 million and an incarcerated population around 3,000, a unified facility is both practical and cost-effective. From a family's perspective, this simplicity is a genuine advantage: one phone platform, one visitor application process, and one set of policies regardless of whether your family member is awaiting trial or serving a sentence.
What is the ACI complex?
The Adult Correctional Institutions complex in Cranston consists of five distinct facilities on a shared campus: Maximum Security, High Security Center, Medium Security, Minimum Security, and the Women's Division. Each facility has its own staff, visiting schedules, and procedures - they are genuinely separate institutions that happen to share a general location. Before sending mail or planning a visit, confirm which specific ACI unit your person is in. The mailing address for each unit is different even though they're on the same campus. Call the ACI main number at 401-462-2611 if you're unsure which unit your person is at.
What is the RIDOC number?
Every Rhode Island state inmate is assigned a unique RIDOC number when they enter the ACI system. It must appear on all mail and is required for the RIDOC offender search at doc.ri.gov. Because Rhode Island DOC operates both pretrial and sentenced custody, a person may have a RIDOC number even before sentencing - unlike states where a state number is assigned only upon conviction. The number is permanent for the duration of the person's involvement with the system regardless of which ACI unit they're housed in.
Does Rhode Island have free prison phone calls?
No - Rhode Island has not eliminated phone call fees. Securus Technologies holds the RIDOC contract. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps apply to interstate calls from ACI facilities, reducing costs from historical highs, but calls are not free. Rhode Island's small incarcerated population - about 3,000 people - means there's limited political and economic scale for reform compared to larger states. Set up a Securus prepaid account rather than accepting collect calls.
How long does it take to get to the ACI from anywhere in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's tiny size means the ACI in Cranston is accessible for virtually everyone in the state. Providence is about 10 minutes away. Newport is about 35 minutes via the Pell Bridge. Woonsocket in the far north is about 40 minutes. Westerly in the far south is about 45 minutes. For families in southeastern Massachusetts - Fall River, New Bedford, Attleboro - the ACI is 30 - 45 minutes away. This geographic accessibility is one of the genuine advantages of Rhode Island's unified system - no Rhode Island family has to drive more than an hour to visit.
Can I visit on weekdays at the ACI?
Rhode Island ACI generally offers visitation on both weekends and select weekdays, with schedules varying by unit and security level. Medium Security typically has the most flexible visiting schedule; Maximum Security the most restricted. Contact the specific ACI unit directly for current visiting days and hours before planning any visit - schedules can change with little notice due to staffing or security events. Always call the morning of your planned visit to confirm, and bring government-issued photo ID every time.