RI S2977

Prisoners in disciplinary confinement for up to 15 days must receive minimum 2 hours out-of-cell time daily; those held beyond 15 days must receive minimum 3 hours with opportunity for social interaction

Creates a 5-member Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee including a formerly incarcerated person, nonprofit designee, social worker, public defender, and corrections director to monitor solitary confinement practices

Committee must appoint an ombudsperson empowered to investigate complaints, conduct unannounced biannual inspections of restrictive housing areas, and communicate privately with incarcerated persons

Department of Corrections must publish annual reports detailing prisoner counts by housing status, infractions leading to confinement, demographics, vulnerable population numbers, and out-of-cell time averages

Prisoners may bring declaratory judgment actions in Superior Court alleging the department failed to perform duties or violated rights under the act; effective date is July 25, 2026