Surge in number of drones caught flying at Scottish prisons after smuggling crackdown
Criminals appear to be turning to drones to smuggle contraband into prisons after a crackdown reduced the flow of drugs being sent to inmates via letters.
Tuesday 4 April 2023 12:50, UK
The number of drones caught flying into Scottish prisons has increased, according to new figures.
The remote-controlled aircraft are used to smuggle the likes of drugs and phones into jails.
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data shows the number of drones detected across its estate has jumped from two in 2018 to nine in the first three months of this year alone.
Figures obtained by justice and social affairs magazine 1919 revealed that HMP Edinburgh has recorded the highest number of drone sightings, with 11 since 2021.
HMP Perth ranked the second highest, with five drones detected since 2018.
The SPS said it was using "all technological and intelligence tools available" to tackle the problem.
A spokesperson added: "We work with Police Scotland, and other partners, to take action against those who attempt to breach our security, via drones or by other means.
"These efforts have led to a significant reduction in drug take incidents in our establishments, and as a result, the harm caused to the health and wellbeing of those in our care."
Part of the reason for the sharp rise in drone use since 2021 could be a crackdown on smuggling via prison letters.
A policy championed by the Scottish Conservatives has allowed staff to photocopy letters addressed to prisoners, so inmates received copies rather than originals.
The measure was put in place to stop drugs - in particular, benzodiazepines like Etizolam - from entering the estate.
Smugglers had been using the mail to soak drugs into the paper.
Between August 2020 and July 2021, almost 9,000 items of mail sent to jails across Scotland tested positive for an illegal drug.
Following the introduction of the policy, drug-taking incidents dropped by 36% - from 175 in December 2021 to 112 in March 2022 - according to a letter to Holyrood's Justice Committee in May 2022 from SPS chief executive Teresa Medhurst.
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Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Jamie Greene said: "It is clear criminals are now using drones to try and smuggle dangerous drugs and contraband into the prison estate.
"SNP ministers cannot make the same mistakes they did when they dithered and delayed over our demands to stop the postal peddling of drugs. They must take action to stop drones simply taking over the task."
The Scottish government added: "We continue to support the Scottish Prison Service and Police Scotland's joint efforts to prevent the supply of illegal drugs.
"SPS continues to work tirelessly to adapt its security measures to prevent, detect and deter the introduction of contraband in prisons."