Rhode Island is a  Centralized State: The state operates most delinquency services for youth in Rhode Island. The Family Court of Rhode Island's 10 Intake Units perform delinquency intake screening and conduct predisposition investigations.

How is detention organized? 

The Department of Children, Youth and Families, Division of Juvenile Correctional Services, administers secure juvenile detention. Rhode Island does not have a facility strictly dedicated to holding juveniles in secure detention. Instead, youth are held at the Rhode Island Training School.

Statute established a community-based diversion program providing outreach and advocacy services to youth between the ages of 9 and 17, who may be the subject of a family court petition or at risk for committing wayward or disobedient acts including truancy, running away, and violating school rules.

Victims of sexual offenses involving sexual penetration may petition the court to require the juvenile delinquent to submit to a blood test for the presence of a sexually transmitted disease.  Victims may also request the name and address of the juvenile to bring a civil action against the juvenile and/or his or her parents for damages sustained as a result of the crime.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Division of Juvenile Correctional Services, Juvenile Probation and Parole Field Services, is responsible for the probation supervision of delinquent offenders. Probation officers currently supervise a small number of adults placed on probation by the family court.

Juvenile Probation and Parole Counselors must have bachelor's degrees in social work, sociology, psychology, or criminal justice and related experience. Rhode Island certifies probation officers, and professional certification is a requirement for employment.

At disposition, the youth is committed to the care, custody, and control of the superintendent of the Rhode Island Training School. However, since there is only one public institution for delinquent offenders, an order of commitment is in effect an order that the juvenile be held there.

While the Department of Children, Youth and Families, Division of Juvenile Correctional Services, can recommend release, by statute, the Family Court must give final approval, after a hearing with due notice to the parties. Release approval is based on the best interests of the child and the safety of the public.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families, Division of Juvenile Correctional Services, Probation and Parole Field Services provides aftercare (called parole) services in nine satellite offices. There are no distinctions for youths returning from state placements vs. local placements or private placements vs. public placements.

Rhode Island’s purpose clause is rooted in the Standard Juvenile Court Act. Enacted in 1925 and revised numerous times, The Act proposed the idea the each child coming into court jurisdiction shall receive the care, guidance, and control that will be conducive to his welfare and to the best interest of the state. If the child is removed from the home, the court will provide care as equivalent as possible to that of his parents.

Lower Age: None specified

Upper Age: 17

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20

Rhode Island does not currently use a detention screening instrument and has not established statutory guidelines regarding who can be detained. Rhode Island uses a statewide risk assessment instrument to assist in determining probation supervision guidelines.  No data was available on the use of assessments during aftercare.