Urgent Warning Over Drones That Could Aid Prison Breaks
Authorities are raising alarms about drones potentially aiding prisoner escapes and smuggling contraband into high-security jails
Drones, Prison Security, HMP Long Lartin, Worcestershire, Contraband, UK
Worcestershire: There’s a serious buzz about drones lately, and it’s not just about cool tech. Drones are being used to drop off contraband in prisons, and it’s raising some major red flags. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, is sounding the alarm, saying that the police and government have basically let criminal gangs take over the airspace above high-security jails like HMP Long Lartin.
He’s calling for urgent action to tackle this issue, especially with the rise in drug and weapon drops. It’s gotten so bad that even MPs are debating it in the Commons. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick pointed out that drones could easily deliver explosives to prisons, which is a huge worry. Mark Fairhurst, who heads the Prison Officers’ Association, even mentioned that drones could lift inmates right out of exercise yards!
It’s wild to think about, but Fairhurst says it’s only a matter of time before a firearm gets smuggled in. He’s been pushing for tech to block these drone deliveries, but it feels like no one’s listening. The situation at HMP Manchester is particularly alarming, with inmates actually burning holes in windows to get their hands on drone deliveries.
Mr. Taylor’s inspections revealed that the jails are struggling with serious safety issues, and the drug scene is thriving. He mentioned that there are drones flying in with heavy loads of illegal items, which is just nuts. He’s advocating for technology that can block these drones, similar to what’s been done at Guernsey prison.
It’s pretty shocking that the police and prison services have let organized crime take over the airspace above these high-security facilities. The safety of everyone involved—staff, inmates, and the public—is at risk. The Ministry of Justice has promised to step up efforts to tackle the drug problem, but the numbers are still concerning.
At HMP Long Lartin, the influx of drugs and phones is alarming, especially since many inmates say it’s easy to get their hands on contraband. The situation is so dire that Mr. Taylor compared another high-security jail to an airport due to the number of drones flying in with drugs.
Reports from monitoring boards have highlighted that broken windows are making it easier for drones to deliver contraband. In December, it was revealed that contraband was being smuggled into HMP Parc in South Wales in children’s nappies, which is just crazy. Justice minister Sir Nicholas Dakin acknowledged the threat drones pose to prison security and mentioned that restricted fly zones have been set up around jails to combat this issue.
It’s clear that this is a growing problem, and everyone is hoping for a solution soon.