A Dehumanizing Experience: Observations from a Tour of Rhode Island's Adult Correctional Institutions

As I walked through the corridors of the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) medium, maximum, and high-security facilities in Rhode Island, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. As a campaign intern with Senator Tiara Mack, I accompanied her on a tour of these facilities in early May this year, and what I saw was nothing short of dehumanizing.

During our visit, I asked the Director, Katherine Coyne-Fague, how often she enters the cellblocks. Her response was that she's there to work in her office, which is located in a separate building. However, my question was about how often she gets into the actual cellblocks, where the incarcerated individuals are housed. It felt like she was downplaying the importance of interacting with the people she's supposed to be serving.

What struck me most was the lack of human connection between the correctional officers and the inmates. The officers would simply state that they knew who was on their cell blocks without so much as a greeting or a simple inquiry about how someone's day was going. It was as if they had forgotten that these individuals were human beings, deserving of dignity and respect.

As we walked through the cellblocks with the administrators, I noticed that they didn't interact with the incarcerated folks in a positive way at all. There was no effort to establish a connection or show empathy towards their situation. This lack of interaction left a sour taste in my mouth, as it seemed like the officers were more focused on their duties than on the people in their care.

As someone who advocates for social justice and equality, I was disheartened by what I saw during our tour. It's clear that there is still much work to be done to create a more humane environment within these institutions. As we move forward, it's crucial that we prioritize the well-being of those in our care and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.

In conclusion, my experience at the ACI facilities left me feeling unsettled and concerned about the treatment of incarcerated individuals. It's essential that we recognize the importance of human connection and empathy in these settings to create a more positive and supportive environment for everyone involved.

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