Rhode Island General Laws Title 13. Criminals--Correctional Institutions § 13-8-3. Chairperson of board--Liberty permits

(a) The governor shall appoint a qualified elector of this state chairperson of the parole board, who shall serve in the unclassified service as a fulltime employee for a term of two (2) years and until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified.

(b) All remaining members of the board shall also be in the unclassified service.

(c) The chairperson shall be an individual who has experience in the criminal justice system and shall have earned a baccalaureate degree.

(d) The chairperson shall have authority to create subcommittees of at least three (3) members of the parole board who shall serve on a rotating basis. The subcommittee may, in the case of any prisoner who is subject to the control of the parole board, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the subcommittee members, unless the prisoner is sentenced to imprisonment for life and unless the prisoner is confined as a habitual criminal under the provisions of § 12-19-21, issue to the prisoner a permit to be at liberty upon parole as if the permit were issued by the full board pursuant to the provisions of § 13-8-9.