Amid COVID-19 Surge, In-Person Visits Suspended AT RI Prisons

CRANSTON, RI — As COVID-19 cases climb in Rhode Island and across the country, the state's Department of Corrections temporarily suspended in-person visitation at prisons.

"As expected, due to the increase in the community of individuals testing positive for COVID-19, the easy transmissibility of the Omicron variant, as well as the onset of colder weather and therefore closer quarters, the number of inmates and staff who are testing positive for COVID-19 is increasing and will likely further increase in the coming weeks," the department said in a statement.

Vaccination rates are high among inmates and staff, the DOC said, meaning there have been few cases of serious illness or hospitalizations so far. However, because prisons are a congregate setting, the department said it is necessary to take preventive actions for the next four to six weeks, until the current surge subsides.

Effective immediately, in-person visitation was suspended at all prison facilities. This policy will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the department said. Attorney and clergy visits will still be allowed, as well as video visits. Each inmate is allowed on free video visit per week "to facilitate more contact with loved ones."

"We’re in for another tough stretch," the department said. "We will make it through to the other side safely if we all work together. Do take good care of each other!"