Rhode-Island

Welcome to the Parole Board & Sex Offender Community Notification Unit

The Rhode Island Parole Board is committed to promoting public safety. The Board is authorized by statute (R.I.G.L. § 13-8-1 et seq.) to consider the early release of incarcerated offenders who have been sentenced to be imprisoned for a period of more than six (6) months and who have served not less than one-third 1/3 of the term for which they have been sentenced. Using structured decision-making, the Parole Board has broad discretion to determine when and if an offender will be released from imprisonment. Annually, the Board promulgates guidelines and a policy statement, which they conscientious apply to assist in their release decisions. These documents are accessible on this site for further review.Parole has been referred to as the “doorway to prisoner reentry” and it is an integral part of the criminal justice system in the State of Rhode Island. Public safety is jeopardized when an inmate is released from incarceration without community supervision. Statistically, inmates who are released from prisons without supervision are more likely to have higher rates of domestic violence and child abuse, higher rates of infectious diseases and higher rates of homelessness. The Parole Board has the authority to establish conditions of release and to tailor those conditions to appropriately manage the offender’s transition back to the community through proper parole supervision.Community and victim safety is paramount to the Parole Board. All alleged violations of the conditions of parole release are responded to swiftly. Using intensive supervision, graduated sanctions and ultimately parole revocation and re-incarceration, the Board strives to attain successful prisoner reentry and reduced recidivism.The Rhode Island Parole Board is victim centered, providing crime victims with the opportunity to testify before the Board when an offender is being considered for release. We have established the “Enhanced Victim Service Project”, which provides crime victims with advocacy, referral, and opportunities for restorative justice programs such as Victim-Offender Mediation. The Parole Process for Victims link on this site will provide further information for crime victims wishing to access our services.We hope this site is of assistance to you. Please feel free to contact the Parole Board staff or the Sexual Offender Community Notification Unit if you have questions or comments. You may email the Rhode Island Parole Board at parolebd@doc.ri.gov. We encourage any input to allow us to better serve the citizens of the State of Rhode Island.

Lisa S. Holley, Esq.
Chairperson, Rhode Island Parole Board