Single Canadian Prison Sees Nearly 100 Illegal Drone Deliveries in 2022

The threat of drones smuggling drugs, weapons, and other contraband into prisons is on the rise.

Jack Daleo

Friday, June 23, 2023 at 04:47 PM ET

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Drones increasingly are being used to deliver contraband, such as drugs, into prisons. [Courtesy: Pixabay]

Key Takeaways:

Drones have become the primary and increasingly prevalent method for smuggling contraband, including drugs, weapons, and cell phones, into prisons in Canada and the U.S., effectively bypassing traditional security measures.
Canadian prisons, like Collins Bay Institution, have seen a dramatic surge in drone-related incidents, with reported drops increasing significantly in recent years and correctional officers deeming the situation an emergency, often leading to increased violence and overdoses.
Efforts to combat drone contraband are largely insufficient, hindered by slow implementation of detection technology, the rapid evolution of drone capabilities, budget limitations, and complex legal restrictions on counter-drone measures, particularly in the U.S.

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Prison security measures, such as massive walls, barbed wire fortifications, and heavy steel doors, generally suffice to prevent inmates from getting out. They also used to be great at keeping drugs and other contraband from getting in—until recently.

According to statistics from Correctional Service Canada (CSC), obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. via a pair of access-to-information requests (the Canadian analog to the U.S. Freedom of Information Act), a single Ontario prison saw nearly 100 drones deliver drugs, weapons, cell phones, and other contraband to inmates in 2022.