R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-2: Management of institutions.

The department of human services shall have the management, supervision, and control of the adult correctional institutions, training school for boys, training school for girls, Doctor Patrick I. O’Rourke children’s center, and Rhode Island veterans’ home, and such other functions as have been or may be assigned. The department also shall operate, maintain, and repair the buildings, grounds, and other physical property at the institutions, other than the roads and driveways thereof which shall be under the care and supervision of the department of transportation.