Budget Cuts Could Close Rhode Island Prisons

CRANSTON, R.I.—Rhode Island’s corrections director says he may need to close two prisons if the state forces a 15-percent budget cut.
 
Director A.T. Wall says two of the eight facilities at the adult correctional institutions in Cranston would be closed. One would be the high-security unit — where violent prisoners or those who need close monitoring are held — as well as the medium-security prison.
 
Closing the facilities would save nearly $20 million, while selling the medium-security prison could generate $12 million, according to figures provided by officials. The state’s budget officer has asked state agencies to show how they could cut spending by 15-percent in the next fiscal year.