R.I. Gen. Laws § 13-12-1: Authority of attorney general.

The attorney general, when the director of corrections shall certify that proper and adequate treatment, facilities, and personnel are unavailable within this state, shall be authorized to contract with the proper officials (director of Bureau of the Prisons) of the United States for the custody, care, subsistence, education, treatment, and training of persons convicted of criminal offenses in the courts of this state.