R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-23-5: Cooperation of public officers — Visitation and inspection powers.

It shall be the duty of all officers of the state and of any city or town directly or indirectly connected with the administration of the criminal law to cooperate with the commission in the study and survey authorized by this chapter, and those officers shall furnish the commission upon request all records, data, and other information at their disposal relating to matters under consideration by the commission. Members of the commission may at any time visit and inspect the institutions and places in the state where criminals are confined and may interview the officers in charge of those institutions.