Question Period Note: Drones

The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers has expressed concerns about drone deliveries at institutions across the country.

• Preventing and reducing the number of contraband items and illicit drugs in Correctional Service Canada's (CSC) institutions remains an ongoing priority.
• CSC continues to use detection methods to target various methods that criminals use to introduce contraband into our institutions.
• We continue to respond to the threat posed by drones with a layered approach which includes the use of security practices, adoption of new technologies, intelligence activities, collaboration with local police agencies, infrastructure enhancements, and law enforcement partnerships.
• With these measures, along with the ability and professionalism of our frontline officers, we are confident that contraband and drone detection efforts will enhance the security of our institutions and the safety of persons by preventing the introduction and trafficking of contraband in CSC institutions.
Measures Adopted
• Specific measures adopted include the:
o Procurement and piloting of different drone detection technology at a high number of institutions with known drone incidents;
o Piloting of cell phone detection technologies;
o Piloting of body scanners;
o Training of detector dogs to detect electronic devices;
o Investment in intelligence activities;
o Searching and dynamic security;
o Enhancing collaboration with law enforcement agencies;
o Infrastructure enhancements to our facilities;

Articles have been published in the media highlighting concerns raised by the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers about the safety of its members and the presence of drone technology at its institutions.

According to one article “Canada’s prison watchdog has also suggested that prisons employ new technology in the battle against drone smugglers. CSC recently launched a pilot program in some institutions introducing newer security measures to detect drones, as well as introduced detector dogs that can detect electronics.”

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