Just like in other states, the incarceration rate in Rhode Island has grown steadily over the years, though it remains one of the lowest in the nation. Also, the incarceration rate in Rhode Island differs among types of inmates and types of offenses.
According to the National Institute of Corrections, Rhode Island’s crime rate was 11 percent lower than the national average as of 2013. The incarceration rate in Rhode Island was 51 percent below the national average, with 194 people incarcerated for every 100,000 people in the state. With no county jails, all inmates are housed in the state’s prison system.
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections noted that more people are incarcerated for violent crimes than for other offenses. As of 2009, violent crimes accounted for 42 percent of inmates and sex crimes made up 12 percent. Drug crimes accounted for 13 percent and drug possession accounted for 8 percent, while nonviolent crimes made up 14 percent. Breaking and entering made up 9 percent, and weapons charges accounted for 2 percent.
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According to the same report, 47 percent of inmates were white, 29 percent were black, 21 percent were Hispanic, 1 percent were Asian, 0.5 percent were American Indian, and 0.5 percent were classified as "other." The average age of incarcerated inmates was 36. In 2010,
data from the Prison Policy Initiative also showed higher incarceration rates for some races than for others.
Using information from the U.S. Census,
the American Legislative Exchange Council reported that the incarceration rates for blacks was 1,884 for every 100,000 people in that group. For Hispanics, it was 697 per 100,000; for American Indians or those considered Alaska natives, it was 446 per 100,000; and for whites, it was 210 per 100,000.
As noted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, Rhode Island’s inmate population is growing. By fiscal year 2008, it was already at 90 percent of the federal capacity, and estimates predicting a 21 percent growth rate over 10 years indicate it will exceed both operational and federal capacity. In addition, as of 2014, one out of every 44 Rhode Island adults is either on probation or parole.
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