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RI Solitary Confinement Resources & Press

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  • New Documentary on Solitary Confinement The Strike, December 2025

    • Join Us for a Special Screening of The Strike
      We invite you to a moving community screening of The Strike, a documentary capturing the unprecedented hunger strike in California prisons, where people from rival groups—including Northern and Southern Mexican groups—set aside their differences to confront the brutal realities of solitary confinement.

    • This extraordinary act of unity carried a heavy price—some individuals died during the strike, sacrificing their lives in the fight for dignity and justice.

  • Providence College Hunt-Cavanagh Art Gallery, November 2025

    • ​I truly enjoyed participating in a panel discussion with Adam Bush, President of College Unbound, and Jose Rodriguez, Assistant Vice President of College Unbound, speaking to the Art students at the Hunt-Cavanagh Gallery at Providence College. Our conversation centered on prison education, rehabilitation, graduation, and what successful reentry looks like in our communities.

  • Roger Williams University Law Review Symposium, November 2025

    • ​Another one! I was honored to return to Roger Williams University’s Bristol campus as an alum and speak at the Law Review Symposium on Prisoners’ Rights on Friday, November 7, 2025.

  • Speakers Panel & Book Talk on the Criminal Justice System at Brown University, October 2025

    • Hi everyone! Come out and join us this Thursday, October 23, from 7–9 PM at Brown University (Solomon DECI) for an engaging panel and book talk on the criminal justice system. We’re honored to welcome Emile Suotonve DeWeaver as our special guest to discuss his book and his experiences inside the carceral system.
      Panelists include James Monteiro, Melonie Perez, and Alex Morales, with Brandon Robinson moderating the conversation.​

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition, DARE, SURJ and other conducted a Car Rally & Press Conference to Spread Awareness about the Constant Lock Downs in the ACI, September 2024

    • This Wednesday, September 11 at 4 PM, members of the Stop Torture RI Coalition, DARE, SURJ, and community supporters will join a car rally in solidarity with the people incarcerated at the ACI. We stand with those enduring grave injustices—including the deprivation of education, rehabilitation, and recreation—as a result of drastically reduced out-of-cell time.​

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition & DARE held a Vigil and Acting Against Medical Neglect in RI Prisons at the RI Statehouse, March 2024

    • Join us for a vigil honoring Willie Washington Jr. and the countless others who have died from neglect inside the ACI. We will gather at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday, March 14th at 3:00 PM to support Willie’s family and acknowledge the lives taken by medical neglect and solitary confinement abuses.​

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition & The Wheeler Middle School Collaborated to Raised Funds to Help Reform Solitary Confinement, February 2023

    • The Wheeler School and the Stop Torture RI Coalition are excited to host our very first fundraiser to advance our campaign to reform solitary confinement laws in Rhode Island. Your financial support is essential to making this work possible. Join us on April 20, 2024, from 12–3 PM at the Providence Public Library.

  • The Behind The Walls Committee & The Stop Torture RI Coalition conducted a protest at the PVD Fest where they carried 7 Caskets to represent the 7 Deaths in the ACI, September 2023

  • Seven individuals have died in Rhode Island’s prisons this year, including two in the past month and four by suicide. Yet not a single independent investigation has taken place. Without external accountability, RIDOC and RIBCO are able to continue business as usual while lives are being lost.

  • RI Correctional Officers Provoked a Peaceful Protest Due to Their Dislike of the New Solitary Policies, August 2023

  • There was a disturbance at the ACI last night, and more than 30 SWAT officers entered the prison with guns and shields. Yet, correctional officers deny this happened despite the pictures.

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition Collaborated with Wheeler Middle School, August 2023

    • The Stop Torture RI Coalition teamed up with Wheeler School students Max and Maddie for a powerful presentation. While they spoke, other students stepped into a makeshift “cell” to get a sense of what solitary confinement might feel like—then shared their thoughts and emotions with their peers. A meaningful and eye-opening experience for everyone involved.

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition Cookout, August 2023

    • We’re hosting a Stop Torture Coalition cookout to celebrate our work this year—moving the Reform Solitary Confinement Act through the legislature with Rich Paiva winning litigation that is already changing solitary confinement policies now taking effect.​

  • Rally for Brian Rodenas and Other Victims of Suicide at the ACI, May 2023

    • Brian Rodenas spent months in solitary confinement at the ACI. Even as he showed clear signs of crisis and begged for help, staff failed to respond—until it was too late. Last week, Brian died. The DOC has called it a suicide, but his family believes the circumstances are suspicious and is demanding a full investigation.

    • Brian is now the third person to lose their life at the ACI in the past three months.

    • This cannot continue. We must act. Please join us Tuesday at 2:45 PM outside the State House to call for immediate passage of the Reform Solitary Confinement Act.

  • 500 Surveys on the New Solitary Confinement Policies were sent into the ACI, February 2023

    • Thank you to everyone who showed up for our letter-stuffing event this Saturday—especially with the day starting at negative nine degrees. Even with multiple power outages, we kept going. Your commitment and support mean so much. Thank you again​

  • Reform Solitary Table Discussion in Foster with Rep. Chippendale & Senator Rogers, February 2023.

    • Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Foster event. The conversation was powerful, and we especially want to honor Charlene Liberty’s family for their courage in sharing her story. We also thank Senator Rogers and Representative Chippendale for taking time out of their weekend to meet with us. Together, we can turn this dialogue into action.​

  • The First Meeting of the New Steering Committee, January 2023

    • We kicked off our first Steering Committee meeting in a long time last night—and it was a productive one. This team will help steer our coalition as we gear up for the upcoming legislative session and fight to pass the Reform Solitary Confinement Act.​

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition Retreat, October 2022

    • Our Coalition retreat was a powerful and productive gathering—and the beautiful Saturday made it even better. Deep gratitude to everyone who showed up and to all who support us from near and far. Your commitment moves this work forward.​

  • Former James Towner speaks about serving 10 Years in Rhode Island's Solitary Confinement, September 2022

    •  Childhood James Towner Eddie Franco discusses 45 years in the ACI with 10 of those years being in solitary confinement. He will be speaking at the Jamestown Library about his experience and in support of anti-solitary legislation currently pending in the Rhode Island state assembly.

  • ​A Round Table Discussion with Religious Leaders About Ending Solitary Confinement, September 2022

    • Prominent religious leaders are gathering on September 17 to discuss ending the torture of solitary confinement with survivors of solitary confinement and our community at large.

      We welcome Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman of Temple Habonim, Reverend Chontell Nelson Washington from First Congregational United Church of Christ,
      Imam Abdul Latif from the Islamic Center of Rhode Island Masjid Al Kareem, Brandon Robinson, who is the Community Organizer for Stop Torture RI, and Minister Joseph Benton from Beloved Tabernacle & President of Community Ministers RI​

  • Stop Torture RI Coalition Cookout, July 2022​

    • The Stop Torture RI Coalition Cookout at Open Doors was cool relief on this hot day​

  • Meet our Lobbyist and Media Specialist, Haley McKee, June 2022

    • We are so grateful for Haley’s contributions to our coalition and her fierce advocacy.​

  • Shivani & Haley are at PVD Fest tabling, June 2022

    • Our Coalition members Shivani and Haley were at PVD fest today at Burnside Park, talking to folks about ending long term solitary confinement in Rhode Island!!​

  • Tabling at the Pride Festival with the Cell Demonstration, June 2022

    • We brought out our mock solitary cell to RI Pride fest and tabled at Juneteenth to talk with people about solitary confinement in RI prisons. We filled out so many postcards to send to our state representatives telling them to end long-term solitary confinement and pass the Restrictive Housing Act.​

  • Canvassing on the East Side of Providence in District II, May 2022

    • Canvassing on the east side with Brown University students and the Stop Torture RI Coalition,​​​

  • A vigil for Charlene Liberty, organized by her family and the Stop Torture RI Coalition

    • The vigil was held to honor Charlene’s life and to call for justice and meaningful change in her memory. (Up Rise RI, 2022). Read more

  • Anti-criminalization advocates gather at the State House to demand justice and reform. (ABC 6, 2022)

    • Stop Torture RI, joined by partner organizations, rallied at the Rhode Island State House to urge lawmakers to pass key legislation reforming the state’s criminal legal system. Read more

  • Activists gather at the Rhode Island State House to demand an end to mass criminalization and call for transformative justice. (Uprise RI, 2022)

    • Stop Torture RI, together with allied organizations, rallied at the Rhode Island State House to call on lawmakers to enact key legislation advancing reform of the state’s criminal legal system. Read more

  • Meet the New Community Organizer of the Stop Torture RI Coalition, Brandon Robinson, March 2022

  • Brandon is our staff Community Organizer and he also started and runs Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Initiative - JDPI to support and mentor young people in Rhode Island.

Several people stand in the RI state house with signs that say, "Invest in communities," "Probation reform now," and other messages

See our fact sheet on the Reform Solitary Confinement Act and testimony from directly impacted individuals here

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Below are articles that highlight our and others' efforts to address this issue in Rhode Island:

A person sits in front of the RI State Housein our life-size mock solitary confinement cell. His fist is in the air.

  • Rally at the Rhode Island State House calls for an end to solitary confinement and the passage of reform legislation. (Uprise RI, 2021)​​

    • This article showcases our advocacy action featuring a replica solitary confinement cell, modeled after those inside RIDOC’s High Security facility, and includes videos and firsthand testimonies from coalition members who share their experiences and demands for reform. Read more

  • Passing the Reform Solitary Confinement Act would significantly limit the use of solitary confinement in Rhode Island’s prisons. (Uprise RI, 2021)

    • This opinion piece discusses the Restrictive Housing Act and a state House Committee hearing that included 30 people who testified in support of the RHA. â€‹Read more

  • The Stop Torture RI Coalition advocates for stronger limits on solitary confinement through the proposed Reform Solitary Confinement Act. (Brown Daily Herald, 2021)

    • This article examines our 2021 legislation, the Restrictive Housing Act, which was introduced to limit the use of solitary confinement and promote humane treatment within Rhode Island correctional facilities. Read more

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  • 'Spiritually and mentally harmed': Advocates push for limit on solitary confinement, WPRI, 2021

    • This article discusses our legislation, the Reform Solitary Confinement Act, that was introduced in 2021.Read more

  • The prison within the prison: A look at RI's supermaximum prison, College Hill Independent, 2021

    • This article details the conditions in RI's supermaximum prison, the High Security Center. Read more

  • Solitary confinement: A key part of the RI prison system or 'inhuman and cruel'?, Providence Journal, 2021

    • This article explores our bill, the Reform Solitary Confinement Act, who supports and opposes the bill and why. Read more

  • Out of sight, out of mind, UpriseRI, 2021

    • This article discusses the realities of being incarcerated in RIDOC's High Security facility at the ACI. Read more

Three people sit behind a table with signs that say, "Stop Torture in RI prisons" and other messages. A mock solitary confinement cell is next to them.
Two people sit behind a table that says, "End Solitary Confinement in Rhode Island." They are wearing "Solitary confinement is torture t-shirts. They sit in front of a mock solitary confinement cell. People gather around signing post cards.

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  • Some residents call on lawmakers to cut police funding, close ACI High Security Center, NBC 10 News, 2020 

    • People submitted written testimony for the House Finance Committee on Public Safety and the DOC hearing July 22, with calls to close High Side and defund the police. Read more

  • Solitary confinement has human and economic costs, Providence Journal, 2020

    • Opinion piece that highlights the expenses and harms of long-term solitary confinement in High Side and that other states moved away from supermax facilities and solitary confinement. Read more

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​Other Efforts

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  • Protest theater outside PVD City Hall demands an end to prison torture and isolation, UpriseRI, 2020​

    • RI COVID Response: Decarcerate NOW campaign hosted a rally against in-cell 23 hour lockdowns in the Adult Correctional Institutions during COVID-19. Read more

  • ACLU and Disability Rights Rhode Island sue RI Department of Corrections over solitary confinement for mentally ill inmates, Uprise RI, 2019

    • A lawsuit against RIDOC for violating the constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment by keeping individuals with SPMI in solitary confinement, including in High Side. Read more

People gather around a table that has a banner that says, "End solitary confinement in Rhode Island." They are talking to each other

  • Report of the Special Legislative Commission to Study and Assess the use of Solitary Confinement at the Rhode Island ACI, State of Rhode Island, 2017

    • This report reviews findings of a legislative commission charged with investigating solitary confinement. The Commission presents several policy recommendations, some of which have been implemented at the ACI. Read more

  • Boxed in: Ending solitary confinement in Rhode Island, College Hill Independent, 2016 

    • This article reviews a bill introduced in RI in 2016 to limit solitary confinement to 15 days and exclude certain populations from solitary confinement, H7481. The article discusses this bill in the context of other anti-solitary efforts. Read more

  • Prison officials to examine controversial use of solitary confinement, WPRI, 2016

    • This article covers solitary confinement in RIDOC' s Adult Correctional Institute, includes testimony from incarcerated people, issues with High Side's infrastructure, and reforms in other states Read more

  • R.I. prison system lacks resources to care for mentally ill inmates, Providence Journal, 2014

    • An exploration of D-Mod, a unit in High Security, improvements in mental health treatment there, and the harm solitary confinement has on individuals with mental illness. Read more

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