This resolution addresses the issue of pre-trial detention, highlighting that it often affects individuals who are legally innocent and awaiting trial, with a disproportionate impact on black and Hispanic individuals. It notes that many are detained because they cannot afford bail or are held due to probation or parole issues, and that pre-trial detention can have severe consequences such as family separation and loss of employment. The resolution acknowledges the existence of various types of pre-trial supervised release programs that aim to address barriers to court attendance and provide social services.

To address these concerns, the resolution proposes the creation of a special legislative commission consisting of eleven members, including legislators, legal and judicial representatives, social service experts, and individuals who have experienced pre-trial incarceration. The commission's task is to analyze the benefits and risks of pre-trial supervised release as an alternative to detention, assess the impact of reforms on Black Rhode Islanders, and recommend ways to reduce the pre-trial population and associated costs. The commission is to organize promptly, serve without compensation, and report its findings by February 5, 2024, with the task force expiring on April 5, 2024.