Prisons in England and Wales are facing an escalating security crisis, with a sharp rise in drone incidents delivering contraband, including drugs, to inmates.
According to a freedom of information request obtained by the Guardian, the number of drone incursions has surged by a staggering tenfold since 2020.
Between January and October 2024, there were 1,296 reported drone incidents at prisons, with the total expected to exceed 1,550 by the end of the year—more than triple the number recorded in 2022.
This alarming trend has raised concerns among lawmakers, with Andy Slaughter, the Labour chair of the Commons Justice Committee, calling the situation a “fundamental breach of security.”
He stressed the need for immediate action and additional funding to address the issue, noting that the prison service appears to be “playing catch-up” as organised crime syndicates continue to outpace security measures.
Slaughter’s comments come in the wake of growing evidence that drones are becoming a major tool for criminal gangs seeking to smuggle contraband into prisons.
These drones, some costing thousands of pounds and equipped with thermal imaging, are capable of carrying several kilograms of illegal items, including drugs, which are then flown directly to inmates’ cells, often under the cover of darkness.
The drones are not only bringing in drugs but also heightening the risk of other illicit activities, such as the potential for firearms to be smuggled into prisons.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, has highlighted the use of large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as his “number one concern,” warning that the trend could escalate into more dangerous incidents.
Taylor’s recent report into HMP Garth, a prison near Leyland, revealed a troubling scene where inmates described the constant drone activity as resembling an airport.
Prison staff have struggled to combat the issue, with many prisons lacking the resources and technology to effectively counter the growing drone threat.
Despite the introduction of laws in January 2024, which make it a criminal offense to fly drones within 400 metres of any closed prison or young offender institution, the problem persists.
Offenders caught operating drones face fines up to £2,500, while those smuggling illegal items could face up to 10 years in prison.
However, enforcement remains challenging, with many prisons unable to fully block drone access due to their dilapidated conditions.
Some prisons have installed counter-drone technology designed to detect UAVs in the vicinity, but experts argue that more needs to be done to neutralize the threat.
The Commons Justice Committee, under Slaughter’s leadership, has launched an inquiry into the surge in drone deliveries and is considering the potential use of signal jamming technology to prevent drones from entering prison airspace.
Slaughter acknowledged the financial challenges in addressing the issue, noting that any solution would come at a cost.
He emphasized that while prison conditions, staffing, and rehabilitation programs are critical, security must be the priority. “Before you do anything else, you have to make sure that your prisoners are secure,” he said.
The government has pledged to tackle the issue, with a spokesperson stating that efforts are underway to disrupt the illegal use of drones around prisons.
The Crime in Prisons Taskforce is working alongside the police to combat the growing threat of drone deliveries and organised crime in jails.
As the drone problem intensifies, MPs and prison officials face mounting pressure to secure prisons and curb the flow of illicit goods, with the security of inmates and staff now under heightened scrutiny.