R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-25-17
The director of corrections shall receive into his or her custody and safely keep in the institutions every person who shall be committed to the adult correctional institutions until the prisoner shall be legally discharged. The liability of the committing officer shall cease and the liabilities of the director of corrections shall commence immediately upon the entering and signing of the commitment by the committing officer in the book of those institutions kept for that purpose. The director shall cause to be maintained a record in which shall be entered the reception, discharge, death, pardon or escape of every prisoner, all disciplinary action for breach of institution regulations, and all medical care received.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-25-17