Drones May Help Inmates Escape Jails, Warns Prison Officers
Prison officials express concerns over drones being used for inmate escapes and smuggling contraband into jails
Drones, Inmates, Prisons, UK, Contraband, Security
Manchester: So, there’s this big worry about drones being used in prisons. Apparently, they could lift inmates right out of exercise yards. Crazy, right? A union is sounding the alarm, saying these flying gadgets are a real threat to security.
Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, is pretty upset. He thinks the police and the government have just let criminals take over the airspace above two high-security jails. He’s calling for some serious action to deal with the gangs that are using drones to drop off drugs and weapons.
In a recent report, it was revealed that prisons like HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin are facing some serious issues. There’s talk in Parliament about how drones could even deliver explosives. That’s a huge deal! Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick is worried about the potential for escapes or hostage situations.
Mark Fairhurst, who leads the Prison Officers’ Association, said drones could easily lift someone out of a yard. He’s been warning the Prison Service for years, but it seems like no one is listening. He’s pushing for technology to block these drone deliveries.
Mr. Taylor’s inspections showed that safety and security are in bad shape. He described the drug situation in these jails as “thriving.” Inmates are even burning holes in windows to get their hands on drone deliveries. It’s wild!
At Long Lartin, drones have been spotted carrying large amounts of illegal stuff. Fairhurst mentioned that some drones can lift up to 75 kilograms. That’s a serious risk! He’s been saying for years that drones are a major security threat, but it feels like no one cares.
He pointed out that there’s technology out there that can block drone signals, like a “sky wall” used in Guernsey. It’s frustrating for him because he feels like they’re just being ignored. The police and prison services have basically given up control of the airspace to organized crime.
Mr. Taylor is really worried about the safety of everyone involved—staff, prisoners, and the public. The Ministry of Justice has promised to improve things, especially since there are high levels of drugs in prisons. They’re trying to crack down on this issue, but it’s a tough battle.
Inmates at HMP Manchester have been found with a lot of weapons and drugs, and the situation at Long Lartin isn’t much better. Over half of the prisoners said it’s easy to get drugs and alcohol, which is shocking for a high-security facility.
These warnings come after Mr. Taylor compared another jail to an “airport” because of all the drone activity. Reports have shown that broken windows are making it easier for drones to deliver contraband. It’s a real mess!
In December, it was revealed that contraband was being smuggled into HMP Parc in South Wales in children’s nappies. Justice minister Sir Nicholas Dakin acknowledged that drone sightings around prisons are a major concern. They’ve set up restricted fly zones to try and stop these deliveries.
He mentioned that the government is working hard to tackle this issue, but it’s clear that there’s a long way to go.