Rhode Island General Laws Title 13. Criminals--Correctional Institutions § 13-8-9. Issuance of parole

(a) The parole board, in the case of any prisoner whose sentence is subject to its control, unless that prisoner is sentenced to imprisonment for life, and unless that prisoner is confined as a habitual criminal under the provisions of § 12-19-21, may, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board, issue to that prisoner a permit to be at liberty upon parole, whenever that prisoner has served not less than one-third ( 1/3 ) of the term for which he or she was sentenced. The permit shall entitle the prisoner to whom it is issued to be at liberty during the remainder of his or her term of sentence upon any terms and conditions that the board may prescribe.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, in the case of a conviction for a first- or second-degree murder committed after July 1, 2015, when the prisoner has not been sentenced to life, the prisoner shall not be eligible for a parole permit until he or she has served at least fifty-percent (50%) of his or her sentence.