When she started her testimony with the line, “I realize that there are probably a number of you that don’t know me” that’s because she has not, before this year, really been available to the public.ĭirector Coyne-Fague was testifying against H7760, The Restrictive Housing Act, which would place legal limits on the use of solitary confinement, what the DOC calls restrictive housing.

In truth, Director Coyne-Fague has steadfastly refused to meet with prison reform advocates, or the press, for years. This despite her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee where the Director said, “I’m always happy to meet with and talk with anyone.” When UpriseRI reached out to Director Coyne-Fague about her extended absence from the prisons she oversees, she declined to be interviewed.

The Representative did not seem to believe me. “Did you know she didn’t take a step inside the prisons she oversees for over a year during Covid?” (See: During pandemic, RIDOC Director never visited correctional facilities under her supervision) “I wish we had a hundred more like her in state government.” “She’s a rock star,” said the Representative. During the testimony of Patricia Coyne-Fague the director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections ( DOC), before the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday evening, I spoke to a state representative in the overflow room.

Ridoc health fair