R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-26: Sentence of minor to training school for youth.

Whenever any person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be convicted by any court of any criminal offense, the court may sentence the person to the state training school for youth for a term not less than two (2) years, nor longer than his or her minority, or to any punishment that is otherwise provided by law for the same offense, and if the sentence is to the training school for youth, then it shall be in the alternative to the state training school for youth or to any punishment that would otherwise have been awarded; provided, that whenever the sentence is imposed, it shall be reduced by the number of days spent in confinement while awaiting trial and while awaiting sentencing.