Prison Accidentally Releases Inmate

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections is investigating how an inmate who was just sentenced to a year in prison ended up being released by accident, prompting a search by the Rhode Island State Police.

The search ended after Allan Ferreira, 46, of Pawtucket, turned himself in to authorities on Saturday morning after reportedly seeing reports of his accidental release.

“When we learned of this internal error last night, we immediately notified the Rhode Island State Police (RISP), the RISP Fugitive Task Force, the Cranston Police Department, and the Woonsocket Police Department for victim notification,” said Susan Lamkins, spokeswoman for the RIDOC. “Given Mr. Ferreira’s criminal history we are certainly glad he chose to do the right thing and turn himself in.”

Ferreira was sentenced to serve one year at the ACI for violating a no-contact order issued by Woonsocket police.

Court records show Ferreira has been in and out of prison numerous times since the 1980s on assorted charges, including drug possession, breaking and entering, and domestic violence charges.

Lamkins said the department’s Special Investigations Unit and local law enforcement “worked tirelessly through the night on this case”and the internal investigation into what happened will also help prevent it from happening in the future.