The rise of drone deliveries to prisons carrying contraband like drugs, cell phones, and weapons.

 

The rise of prison drone deliveries

• Drone deliveries of contraband to prisons have been increasing rapidly in recent years, with rates rising by 50% or more annually in the U.S. according to federal data.

In Canada, a single prison saw nearly 100 illegal drone drops in 2022 alone.

Drones allow criminals to bypass traditional prison security measures like walls and fences by flying over and dropping contraband into prison yards or near windows.

The small size and maneuverability of drones make them difficult to detect visually.

Contraband deliveries increase violence among inmates, risk staff safety, and allow inmates to continue criminal activities from inside using smuggled cell phones.

Drug deliveries have led to inmate overdoses and fights breaking out.

Prisons are implementing counter-drone detection systems like radar, cameras, and radio frequency sensors to identify incoming drones and locate their pilots for prosecution.

However, the rapidly evolving drone technology makes it challenging to keep up with new evasion tactics.

COVID-19 restrictions on in-person prison visits may have exacerbated the problem by forcing smugglers to use drones as an alternative delivery method.

Authorities warn the threat will continue escalating as drones become more accessible and sophisticated, enabling larger contraband payloads to be delivered.

 

 

In summary, the surge in drone smuggling is a severe security crisis plaguing prisons worldwide, with potentially deadly consequences, prompting a race to deploy advanced counter-drone systems to detect and deter these illegal flights