18 Slate Hill Road Cranston, RI 02920

The Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center serves the state men’s prison in Cranston, Rhode Island, owned and operated by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Members participate in a weekly Catholic communion service for inmates who are being held for trial or those who are serving current sentences. Inmates serve as readers for the services. In addition, a new separate 8 week creative writing program has been established by Malta members. This program has been designed to provide a creative writing seminar for restricted inmates to help them develop writing and expression skills.

These programs take place on a weekly schedule on Wednesdays. Members arrive prior to the start of the 10AM communion service, and prepare the chapel, readings, music, and the altar. Members lead the hour long communion service with readings from the upcoming Sunday liturgy. A member shares a prayerful reflection on the readings. After the service, time is usually available for fellowship and camaraderie. Reflective music is a significant part of this communion service. Members depart and then return at 1pm for the creative writing seminar. Each session, writing journals from inmates are reviewed and shared in a group setting. After reading short stories, inmates participate in group discussions, and receive instruction on specific writing skills. Attendants also participate in a targeted writing exercise to reinforce the lesson shared during that session.