Rhode Island

AIDS Project Rhode Island is dedicated to excellence in the provision of confidential, comprehensive, caring, and consumer-driven services that contribute to the well being of people living with HIV and to the eradication of HIV transmission in Rhode Island.

Service area: Rhode Island
Work with: Adults living with and affected by HIV/AIDS
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Information regarding HIV transmission and referrals to Project Bridge, a program of Miriam Hospital Community Access that provides discharge planning for people living with HIV incarcerated at ACI in Rhode Island.
Services for survivors after release include: Referrals for HIV testing and counseling and a range of services for people living with HIV/AIDS, including case management; outpatient mental health services; emergency financial assistance; dental referral program; nutritional supplement provision; support groups; and the Afia Center, a drop-in community center that offers hot meals, a food pantry, and nutritional counseling.
Services for loved ones include: Information, support, and referrals for HIV testing and counseling and other needed services.
Fees: Free for low-income clients who meet eligibility guidelines. For outpatient mental health services, co-pays may be required if a client has Medicare or private health insurance. If not, mental health services are free. Please contact AIDS Project Rhode Island for additional information and to see if you quality for free or reduced-fee services.
Additional information: Services are available in Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Day One’s mission is to reduce the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence, and to support and advocate for those affected by it. Day One provides services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes and educates the public throughout the state of Rhode Island.

Service area: Rhode Island
Work with: Survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention, support, information, and advocacy via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; psycho-educational services for incarcerated men and women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse and assault; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above and individual and group counseling for children and adults.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: Day One also offers Foster Healthy Families, a program for sexually abused children in foster care and their foster families.

Survivors of sexual abuse behind bars in a RI DOC facility who have filed a Formal Level 1 Grievance with the Warden and feel as though their concerns have not been adequately addressed can appeal to the RIDOC Director within five (5) days upon receipt of the Warden’s decision.

To file a Level 2 Appeal to the RIDOC Director, a Request for Resolution of Grievance Form is needed. This form may be obtained in the law library or from a Superior Officer in your living location. After completing the form, send it to the Warden or designee, who will forward the form to the RIDOC Departmental Grievance Coordinator. Upon receipt of the Level 1 decision, the Departmental Grievance Coordinator will conduct an investigation. Based upon that investigation, the Director will have thirty (30) working days in which to make a decision on the appeal. The decision will be in writing.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) gathers intelligence about the activities of the inmate population that may threaten public safety and/or be disruptive to the security and orderly operation of the facilities. The SIU also investigates alleged inmate misconduct and provides evidence at inmate disciplinary hearings on the basis of its investigations. The Unit monitors and investigates gang activity, and tracks and apprehends escapees. SIU works closely with outside law enforcement agencies in the prosecution of inmates believed to be engaged in criminal activities. Inmates who have been sexually assaulted in a RIDOC facility can contact the Special Investigations Unit to report the assault and any concerns regarding the handling of investigations into such abuse.

The Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union (RI ACLU) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to upholding and protecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislation, and education. The Rhode Island ACLU works in the courtroom to make the promise of fair treatment a reality for all people. All too often, the rights of those involved in the criminal justice system are compromised or ignored. The Bill of Rights covers all Americans, including suspects, defendants, offenders, and prisoners. If you would like for the ACLU to consider your complaint, please print and fill-out a Complaint Form and mail it to the address contained on the form or write directly to the ACLU. If you have a complaint specifically about police misconduct, use the Police Misconduct Complaint Form. As a general rule, the complaint process takes between 3-4 weeks. The ACLU has limited resources and can only handle a small number of cases that are brought to its attention.

If you don’t have a lawyer and think you have a legal problem, the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service may be able to direct you to an attorney who concentrates in the problem area. When you call the Lawyer Referral and Information Service, you will be asked to state your problem briefly. Any information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence. After listening to your problem, the service will take your name, address, and telephone number. Should you wish to apply for reduced-fee services, you will also be asked for financial information. Based on the information you provide, Lawyer Referral will give you the name and telephone number of an attorney in your community with whom you can meet to discuss your problem. It will be your responsibility to contact the lawyer to make an appointment for a consultation. The service is unable to make appointments for callers.

Lawyers participating in the service have agreed to provide an initial consultation of up to one-half hour free of charge. If it is determined that additional legal work is required, it will be your decision to continue legal services. It is suggested that you discuss the attorney’s fees during your first visit. If you decide to hire the lawyer to continue working in your behalf, you will be responsible for the legal fees. There is no obligation on your part or the lawyer’s to go beyond the one-half hour consultation. If your initial contact cannot handle your problem, you may request an additional referral.

The Lawyer Referral and Information Service is designed to serve anyone who can afford the services of a lawyer. If you are financially eligible, a reduced-fee service is available. Persons who have a legal problem and cannot afford a lawyer will be directed, if possible, to another public service program or human service agency for assistance.

The Rhode Island Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP), funded through a grant from Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. and the Rhode Island Bar Foundation, provides pro bono (free) legal services to qualified low-income Rhode Islanders. Participating attorneys provide legal assistance at no charge. The client’s income must qualify under federally regulated guidelines to receive pro bono assistance, and the case must fall under one of the areas of law handled by the VLP. Clients may be responsible for filing fees, court costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Se habla español.