Rhode Island DOC – Maximum Security

Rhode Island DOC – Maximum Security basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 401-462-2637

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Rhode Island DOC – Maximum Security located at 40 Howard Ave PO Box 8273 in Cranston, RI are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

Rhode Island DOC – Maximum Security facility brochure.

Rhode Island DOC – Maximum Visiting Schedule 2017

The Maximum Security facility is the state's oldest operational prison. The facility was opened during 1878 and is modeled on the Auburn style of construction, consolidating all inmate cells into one main building. The facility was originally designed to house 252 inmates. Due to a growth in population, an addition was built in 1924 consisting of two cell blocks and 198 cells which became known as "steel city."

Maximum Security once served as the state's prison for both awaiting trial and sentenced inmates. As the sentenced population grew and the needs of the prison system changed, other facilities were added.

Surrounded by a wall with observation towers and a double chain-link security fence equipped with an electronic intrusion detection system to prevent and detect escape attempts, the facility is divided into six housing areas, one segregation unit, kitchen/dining area, recreation yard, education/gym building, and an industrial area.

The inmate population at Max is comprised of inmates serving long sentences for a variety of offenses along with those serving shorter sentences who have been transferred from other facilities for serious discipline and/or behavioral problems.

The facility offers two different daily visiting periods, one from 1:30-3:45 p.m. and one from 6-8:40 p.m. Inmates are eligible for five visiting periods per week.

Maximum Security employs over 230 inmates, approximately 59% of its total population. Inmates perform a variety of functions to help maintain the institution. Approximately 190 inmates work in areas such as the kitchen, laundry, barber shop, library, and as porters within the housing modules and recreation areas. Industries consists of a print shop, carpenter shop, and laundry.

The mission of Maximum Security is to provide custody, control and security during the process of confining those persons sentenced under the provisions of a duly appointed court of law. During confinement: (1) to provide correctional treatment, training, care, and supervision commensurate with custody grade and category necessary to return each inmate to society as an effective member of that society and as a useful citizen with improved attitude and motivation; (2) It is the responsibility of each inmate to seek out and take advantage of those programs offered within Maximum Security.

Available Programs

• Educational/Vocational Programs:
  Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development (GED), English As A Second Language (ESL), remedial reading, CCRI Visual Arts and Computer Literacy, and barber licensing.

• Rehabilitative Programs:
  Anger Management, Cognitive Self Change, Domestic Violence Group 1 & 2, Parenting Class, Sex Offender Treatment Program, Life Skills, and many more. Numerous religious services and programs are offered to inmates throughout the year.

visitation Info

Visiting hours for PRISON_NAME. For Directions call PRISON_PHONE

Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Monday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Federal Holidays 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

No cellphones, you will be searched before visiting. NO personal belongings. Persons under probation, parole, or other community corrections supervision must obtain the permission of both their individual supervising officer and the superintendent prior to a visit. Such visitation is not normally approved. 

If the visitor is under the age of 18 and is a family member of the inmate, they must be accompanied by an adult family member or guardian to include a member of the inmate's extended family. If the visitor is under the age of 18 and is not a family member of the inmate, the minor visitor must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.