Correctional Service of Canada Combats Drone Smuggling Amid Surge in Prison Violence

The Correctional Service of Canada is taking a multi-pronged approach to address the growing problem of drones being used to smuggle contraband into prisons. The measures include procuring drone detection equipment, piloting cellphone detection technology, using body scanners and drug-sniffing dogs, and making infrastructure enhancements at prison facilities.

However, the correctional service currently lacks the legal authority to use drone-jamming technology, although they are exploring its feasibility. This limitation has been highlighted by the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, who recently held a protest to draw attention to the surge in violence driven by drone drops of drugs and weapons into prisons.

According to the union, there has been a 45% increase in violent incidents in the 2022-23 fiscal year, with over 9,100 incidents reported. The union attributes this rise in violence to factors such as the loss of disciplinary segregation for inmates and the influx of drone-delivered contraband.

Canada's prison watchdog has also recommended implementing more sophisticated drone detection systems to reduce the presence of drugs in correctional facilities. While anti-drone technologies are evolving, many are military-focused and do not meet the operational needs of corrections.

Why this matters: The surge in drone-delivered contraband and resulting violence in Canadian prisons underscores the need for effective countermeasures. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring the safety of correctional officers and maintaining order within the prison system.

The Correctional Service of Canada acknowledges the challenges faced by correctional staff and states that they are working to mitigate the issue of contraband through investigations, searches, and the use of detection tools. As John Randle, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, noted, "A variety of anti-drone technology is readily available, however it has not been implemented in our institutions."

Key Takeaways

• CSC using drone detection, cell phone tech, scanners to curb contraband smuggling
• Lacks legal authority to use drone-jamming tech, limiting anti-drone capabilities
• 45% increase in prison violence linked to drone-delivered drugs and weapons
• Prison watchdog recommends more sophisticated drone detection systems
• Effective countermeasures needed to ensure safety of correctional officers