Prison gerrymandering is the problem where incarcerated individuals are counted at correctional institutions on Census Day, instead of in their home communities. The result are political districts where the votes of individuals in districts containing correctional facilities are weighted more heavily than in other districts. Rhode Island, with all of the state’s correctional facilities on a single campus, has some of the most prison gerrymandered districts in the United States.
After a decade of advocacy by Common Cause Rhode Island and allies, a portion of the population of the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) counted in the 2020 Census was reassigned to their actual residences, partially ending the practice of prison gerrymandering in Rhode Island. Unfortunately, only those not serving sentences, or serving sentences of three years or less were reassigned, resulting in only 42% of those counted at the ACI on Census Day being put in their home districts.
Common Cause Rhode Island continues to advocate a full and permanent solution to this problem through legislation.
Sign the Petition: End Prison Gerrymandering Forever in RI
Petition
Sign the Petition: End Prison Gerrymandering Forever in RI
Every 10 years, we update our state’s district maps to account for population changes — and to ensure that no matter where we live, all Rhode Islanders are fairly represented in our government.
But there’s a major problem with how we conduct this count. Under our current rules, a person who is in the Adult Correctional Institutions on Census Day is counted as a resident of the prison — NOT as a resident of their hometown.
I believe that communities in Rhode Island should get the representation they deserve. Please...
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Donate
