I discovered the Montreal (Bordeaux) Penitentiary in the 90’s and volunteered there. We were two young students organizing talks with prisoners.
This experience allowed me to develop a bond of trust with several inmates and thus learn all about the workings of this prison, including drug entry methods and payment strategies, informal rules between inmates and correctional officers, the fighting at this location out of sight of the guards, commonly referred to as… be referred to as a submarine.
All of this to tell you that prisons have never been airtight. However, this phenomenon has accelerated in the last thirty years. Two elements are worth emphasizing: technique and letting go.
Delivery by drone
According to the president of the Syndicat des agents de la paix, Mathieu Lavoie, drones delivering products of all kinds (cellphones, drugs, bladed weapons) have become part of the prison landscape in the last five years. Visits are almost daily in several facilities. Even home delivery is possible as these machines can drive in through the windows of the cells.
Several members of criminal organizations, both street gangs and the Hells Angels, who are the main instigators, continue to make it rain or shine. In contrast to the ease that technology offers.
A pilot project to detect drones has been carried out at some facilities, but it would be ineffective, according to the syndicate president. Very often the drones sneak in or the agents are late in intercepting. This response time is one of the consequences of the lack of staff.
A letting go
You should know that prison is an ecosystem that is part of the relationship dynamic of negotiation, coercion and participation. In other words, knowing when to tighten the screw or release the pressure is essential to maintain balance and thus avoid rioting or occupant control of the facility.
This balance is quite precarious in several Quebec facilities. According to Mr. Lavoie, correctional officers are becoming disheartened and increasingly questioning the relevance of disciplinary violations as several disciplinary committees are not doing their jobs. Cases are not processed within the allotted time and are consequently withdrawn, or if they are, the detainees are not necessarily sanctioned or given a scornful verdict.
This negligence then empowers inmates and endangers officials.
One to midnight
For two years, the Ministry of Public Security has been discussing installing more effective drone detectors. It can be said that if the staff is not there, the parcels will continue to be delivered.
Why not protect yourself with anti-drone systems instead? Some Quebec companies specialize in this type of service. Their system detects, identifies, tracks and neutralizes the drone before it enters prison airspace.
What are we waiting for ?
