Government
Public services and government action
Overcrowding and poor sanitation at Bristol County House of Correction could create public health crisis
"If large numbers are admitted to local hospitals in a short period, those hospitals could quickly become overwhelmed. This will impact surrounding communities as well, as services may be potentially inaccessible.” The Bristol County Hou...
PVD Council President Matos in 14-day self isolation following family member's positive COVID-19 test
"...following the direction of our family physician, my family is self-isolating for the next 14 days. We have no symptoms, and are healthy." Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) entered self isolation for the next 14...
Governor Raimondo addresses resources for the undocumented, and her thoughts on evictions
"...this virus and this crisis is hitting people hardest who are least able to absorb any additional pain or sacrifice," said Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. Governor Gina Raimondo answered questions from journalists remotely at her...
Legislatures feeling their way into online meetings
Under the executive order modifying the Open Meetings Act, only "essential" agenda items may be discussed. In order to comply with Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo's executive order to limit gatherings to no more than 25 people, the P...
ICE detainees in the Bristol County House of Correction raise concerns about the spread of COVID-19, demand release
"Two separate and serious episodes recently occurred and have alarmed the entire detainee population of unit B..." On Friday March 20, 51 people detained by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Bristol County Ho...
Members of Providence City Council call on state to halt evictions during pandemic
"A state-wide moratorium on evictions in Rhode Island will help relieve anxiety to people if they lose income because they get sick, if a family member gets sick, or if their job is impacted by the economic damage COVID-19 is causing." I...
Reducing prison population not necessary at this time, says Governor Raimondo
"You know we are working on that," said Governor Raimondo. "That isn't something we think is necessary at this time. But of course we are keeping our eye on that population and frankly all other congregant care populations." During her d...
Groups request that RIDE make school districts' remote learning plans publicly available
“This act of transparency will serve two very important purposes. First, it will give officials in school districts the opportunity to see what other districts are doing, and allow for the sharing of useful ideas among administrators and...
Coalition demands changes to law enforcement and imprisonment in wake of pandemic
"From a public health perspective, it is imperative that we protect Rhode Islanders, inside and outside the criminal justice system, from the coronavirus. In order to do so, we must drastically reduce the number of people held in the ACI...
Department of Corrections: Tests for COVID-19 negative
JR Ventura, Chief of Information & Public Relations Officer at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) issued the following: “We are pleased to know that the test results came back negative for COVID-19 for the inmate at Mediu...