Guns could be delivered by drone to prisons already roiled by drug-related gang warfare amid an “inadequate” response from prison authorities, a leading watchdog told the Guardian.
Britain's chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, said the rapid increase in the use of large unmanned aerial vehicles was of “biggest concern”, increasing the likelihood that firearms would be used to settle turf wars or attempt to break out of prison. said.
The number of drone incidents in prisons in England and Wales has increased tenfold since 2020, to 1,063 last year, according to official figures.
Mr Taylor said in an interview that concerns were heightened after inspectors discovered drones were being used at all times at HMP Manchester, which houses prisoners considered to be a danger to the public.
“The risks of drugs and other types of contraband are enormous. There is a destabilizing effect of drugs in prisons, and prisoners are not only under their influence, but they are also exposed to debts that amount to violence, and organized crime. Domination also exists.
“At the moment it's mainly drugs and mobile phones, but there is also a risk of other contraband getting into the prison. HMP Manchester has been completely under attack by drones and there are Category A prisoners there. , there is a risk of something more happening,” he said.
Asked if he was particularly concerned about guns, he said: “Yes, I don't really have to think about it.”
More sophisticated drones are worth thousands of pounds, are around a meter wide, are equipped with thermal imaging equipment and can carry up to 7kg of illegal goods under cover of darkness.
Legislation introduced in January makes it a criminal offense to fly a drone within 400 meters of a closed prison or young offenders' institution in England and Wales. Drone operators who break the rules could be fined up to £2,500 and jailed for up to 10 years if caught smuggling illegal goods.
Some prisons have installed anti-drone technology to detect when unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are nearby, but few, if any, actively block the devices' access. It is thought that there is no.
Experienced pilots are hired by drug organizations to transport drugs to prisons, usually at night, Taylor said.
“Unfortunately, the current prison response to this threat is inadequate,” he said.
Mr Taylor said the dilapidated conditions in many prisons were being exploited by gangs and needed to be improved. “Prisons need better physical security, including stronger screens, secure windows, more perimeter patrols, technology and fit-for-purpose surveillance cameras.
“But the ultimate goal is to reduce the demand for drugs and other illicit goods in prisons and provide purposeful activities,” he says.
A recent report by Inspector Taylor and colleagues to HMP Garth, near Leyland, Lancashire, revealed that so many drones are being flown at night to deliver contraband to prisons that prisoners are turning the prison into an 'airport'. It is said that he was making an analogy.
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Mr Taylor said drug gangs were so ruthless at HMP Garth that new prisoners had to sell drugs if they wanted basic furniture.
“The prisoners were trying to get into the cell, but it was empty. Another prisoner came in and said, “If you want furniture here, you can sell drugs for us for a little while, and then it will sell.'' Please buy me a chair.'' Buy me or buy a kettle,” he said.
Mr Taylor said dangerous weapons may already have been sneaked into prisons, including HMP Manchester prison, which was known as Strangeways.
“A recent inspection of Manchester, on which we have issued an emergency notice, found that it had the highest influx of weapons and other illegal goods of all prisons housing adult men. Drone sightings “Given the prevalence of information, it is known that they are delivering illegal goods and is very likely being used to deliver weapons,” he said.
Prison Officers Association (POA) general secretary Steve Gillan said he had alerted authorities to the potential influx of weapons via drones.
“Criminal organizations make a lucrative trade in this, and I have previously warned that it may only be a matter of time before drones drop guns, incendiary devices and other weapons into prisons. “The Ministry of Justice and the government need to take the reality of drones seriously.”
The Ministry of Justice was asked whether the government was developing technology to thwart drones and whether there were plans to expand the use of anti-drone technology to detect drones.
A government spokesperson said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to contraband and are working with police to intercept, detect and stop the increasing illegal use of drones around prisons.”
“A restricted drone flight zone has been established around all closed prisons, and those found guilty of bringing contraband into prisons will be punished.”
