In 2019, the Mountjoy prison in Dublin witnessed an attempt to smuggle drugs into the facilities. This wasn’t the only incident. Again, in 2022, the Lee County police witnessed the same incident where drones were used to smuggle contraband. The need for anti-drone systems now is more than ever because airspaces have always been a weak link in any prison’s security.
With the advancement of technology, drones have also evolved significantly. They have become small and quiet, and some consumer-grade drones can blend into the surrounding foliage, avoiding detection. In such scenarios, anti-drone systems become invaluable assets that can help safeguard prison facilities while protecting the integrity of the law. Still, wondering why prisons need c-UAS solutions? Here you go!
The Drone Menace in Prisons
Drones have gained notoriety for being used to smuggle contraband items into correctional facilities. These items may include drugs, mobile phones, weapons, or even tools for escape. The ability to transport illicit goods from the outside world into a prison environment poses a substantial threat to the safety and rehabilitation efforts of inmates.
Prisons have traditionally relied on physical barriers, security personnel, and surveillance systems to maintain order and security. However, drones present a unique challenge by bypassing these conventional defenses. They can fly over walls, fences, and other obstacles, making them exceptionally difficult to detect and intercept.
The Need for Advanced Detection and Mitigation
To address the growing drone menace, prisons require sophisticated C-UAS solutions. These systems are designed to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones. They employ a variety of technologies, including radar, radio frequency (RF) detection, and jamming, to ensure effective countermeasures.
- Preserving Inmate and Staff Safety: The presence of contraband items in prisons endangers both inmates and staff members. Drugs and weapons can lead to violence among inmates, while mobile phones can be used to coordinate criminal activities both inside and outside prison walls. To combat this issue, anti-drone systems can be used to prevent UAVs from smuggling contraband into correctional facilities.
- Protecting Privacy and Rehabilitation Efforts: Apart from the physical threats posed by contraband, drones can compromise inmate privacy and rehabilitation efforts. Invasive surveillance by drones can infringe upon an inmate’s right to privacy, making it harder to achieve the intended goals of correction and rehabilitation. In such situations, anti-drone systems can help to strike the balance between security and privacy without any setbacks.
Conclusion
People often smuggle contraband inside prisons because it is a low-risk, high-reward game. Contrabands inside a prison are worth far more than it is in the free world. Drugs in prison cost several times the going rate on the street, and inmates are willing to pay a steep price for basic smartphones or burner non-smartphones to continue their criminal operations or stay connected to the outside world while in prison. However, with a drone jammer and C-UAS system, prisons can stop UAVs from smuggling anything inside prisons. All they need to do is selecting a reliable firm for anti-drone solutions, and they can stop drones from hovering around the airspace of their facilities without any setbacks.
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