Gov. Don Carcieri signed legislation this week banning indoor prostitution in the only state where it was legal apart from parts of Nevada. Following this the police could start raiding some of the more than 30 brothels operating across Rhode Island.

Prostitution has immediately become a misdemeanor crime irrespective of where it occurs after the new law was signed.

Up to six months in prison for the first offense will be inflicted on prostitutes while customers and prostitutes convicted of a subsequent offense could be punished by a maximum one-year sentence.

State officials expect that this new law will lead to brothels running out of business, either because they voluntarily shut down or are targeted by the local police.

Mr. Carcieri said before signing the bills, "This legislation will give law enforcement officials the tools that they need to curb prostitution in our state, make our communities safer.''

No time frame has been established by the police to uproot the sex industry built over a decades-old legislative mishap.

State lawmakers passed legislation in 1980 trying to crack down on prostitutes and their customers creating havoc in the West End of providence.

Police department said that they were ready to launch mass raids against the spas.