Upon motion of the attorney general or of the attorney for the defendant in a criminal case, the court may, in its discretion, order that the jury impaneled and sworn to serve shall not be permitted to separate until discharged according to law from the further consideration of the case; provided, notwithstanding the provisions of § 8-7-2, whenever a criminal trial shall have been opened to a jury, the trial shall continue to its conclusion; and provided, further, that the jurors shall receive double pay. Sheriffs assigned to juries subject to an order not to separate shall receive double pay.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-13