What’s known as the “drone drop” of contraband in Canadians prisons is becoming an all too familiar event, according to Blacklock’s Reporter, citing Access To Information memos.
The Correctional Service of Canada has spent more than $1 million to try to intercept contraband by air via hundreds of penitentiary drone flights.
“The number of weapons, drugs, alcohol, cellphones and other contraband items entering Canadian prisons is an ongoing security concern with increasing occurrences,” the Correctional Service wrote in an earlier notice Preventing Contraband Delivery Via Air And Ground.
“These items pose a risk to the safety of inmates and correctional staff.”
Prison wardens offered $1.15 million to any contractor capable of developing an “innovative, scalable and cost-effective technology solution” to detect and intercept drones over prisons.
“Drones in particular are seen as an emerging risk due to their increasing capabilities and decreasing costs, making them an easily accessible means of introducing contraband into an institution, creating diversions or covert surveillance,” wrote the Correctional Service.
Flights with sealed plastic bags containing contraband, typically “tobacco, marijuana and cellphones,” were documented.
One unidentified prison counted 32 drone drops of some $459,355 worth of contraband in less than a year and prisons were typically put in lockdown following drone sightings.