Weapon-Dropping Drones Now a National Security Threat in Prisons
Drones smuggling weapons into prisons raise alarms about national security risks
HMP Manchester, HMP Long Lartin, UK, Drones, Contraband, Prison Security
Manchester: The use of drones to sneak in drugs and weapons has become a big worry for national security. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, is sounding the alarm.
He pointed out that guards at HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin have basically given up control of the airspace. Gangs are using drones to drop contraband right over the prison walls. It’s gotten so bad that even guns could be getting in.
During a recent inspection, they found a bustling underground market for drugs, phones, and weapons. The security measures like nets and cameras are falling apart, making it easier for inmates to get their hands on these items.
Some prisoners have even gone as far as burning holes in windows to grab their drone deliveries. HMP Manchester, once known as Strangeways, is now the most violent men’s jail in England and Wales, with a shocking number of serious assaults.
At HMP Manchester, nearly 40% of inmates tested positive for drugs. Over at HMP Long Lartin, half of the surveyed prisoners said it’s easy to score drugs and alcohol. The conditions in both places are pretty grim, with dirt, dampness, and litter everywhere.
HMP Manchester has a serious rodent problem, and prisoners are using torn-up foam from their mattresses to block the cold. At Long Lartin, many inmates don’t even have in-cell toilets, forcing them to use buckets and toss waste out of their windows.
Mr. Taylor is urging the police and prison services to step up their game. He’s really concerned that organized crime gangs are running the show above these high-security prisons, which house some of the most dangerous inmates.
He stressed that the safety of everyone—staff, prisoners, and the public—is at risk because of this situation. The police and prison services need to tackle this organized crime issue head-on to cut down on the flow of drugs and other illegal items.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said they’re aware of the crisis in prisons, which are overcrowded and plagued by drugs and violence. They’re working on improving prison security and maintenance while collaborating with police to combat serious organized crime.