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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: As the Swedish Prison and Probation Service recently have observed an increasing number of incidents involving Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) related to our prisons we consider it important that we at an early stage identify the risks related and examine what types of countermeasures that could be initiated to protect our prison environment from intrusion. As you are likely to have experienced similar incidents in your country we kindly ask you to participate by answering the questions below. Your help would be of great value to the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.
The last 2 years we have had one encounter with an UAV. In a closed centre for mentally disturbed persons a small remote controlled helicopter was discovered. In the Caribbean part of our country (Bonaire) an UAV was spotted in the surroundings of the prison.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?Not that we know of at the moment.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Bringing in contraband, such as drugs, communication means and weapons. Maybe in the future it is even possible to transport persons by UAV. Or maybe interception the transports of prisoners. UAV’s are used for observations on entrance/exits from prison, builiding situation and to follow procedures related to inprisonment.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?We are preparing ourselves for this possible threat. In our opinion it is not the question if but when the first UAV’s will form a threat to safety and security in prisons. We are cooperating with the national police and border police (Royal Marechaussee) to take the necessary measurements.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?At the moment we are praparing organisational and technical measurements.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?It has to become a part of the regular riskmanagement of the security and safety in prisons.
Yes.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?Yes.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Contraband ingress - drugs - mobile phones - weapons. Also media ingress - aerial photography in breach of security.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?Yes.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?- Intervention by Defence Forces (if necessary) where Defence Forces have presence in one High Security Prison. - Ongoing assessment with anti-UAV measures via specialist aviation complanies. - Research of other anti-UAV measures.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Finance (justifiable) in response to airspace incursions.
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Yes, Approximately 10 different events have occurred since the end of 2014. The vast majority occurring in proximity to high security facilities, though as of yet not linked to any specific inmates. Also several cases of information involving plans to use UAV`s as a means for unauthorized communication.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?Yes. The number of reports concerning UAV´s in proximity to our prisons indicate that these type of incidents are, so far slowly, increasing.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?- Video recording and possibly publishing videos of inmates on the web. - Reconnaissance in order to aid escapes. - Smuggling of prohibited goods, narcotics and/or weapons. - Unauthorized Communication. - Smuggling of contraband includes the risk of riots or other violence among inmates.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?No. However the yards in modern Swedish jails are fitted with a barred roof preventing UAV´s from breach.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future? Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Since technology is rapidly improving the question of UAV´s in prison Environment needs to be approached from a wide perspective. It is likely that UAV´s will shortly have a higher capacity and become an increasing threat to the justice system.
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We have experienced three proven cases of unauthorized drone flight in the direct vicinity of two of our detention centres. Two of them were seen during the daylight and one during the night. Identity of persons controlling these two UAV:s was established. In one case UAV was used with the intention of mapping the city centre where prison building is located. In other case a person was testing the drone that flow in the direction or prison environment. All cases were reported to the police. No UAV:s were however flown directly over the prison area or dropped into the prison.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?There is not a considerable increase in number of such cases. Recently there were no cases reported, and up to now there were only three isolated cases reported.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Drones are a new threat in terms of perimeter intrusion. Unmonitored filming and transport od drugs by UAV:s are the main types of risks identified.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?There were no special measures introduced in those three cases described, but nevertheless prison stuff is instructed to be attentive about potential treat from UAV:s.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?There are proposals for the new legislation considering use and restrictions of UAV:s.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?No.
Yes. In recent years, several prisons have spotted UAVs within the prison area.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?Yes. The development of the devices is constant and we believe that the number of such incidents will increase especially in prisons located in population centres.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?With the help of the devices, it is possible to transport unlawful substances or articles to the prison premises or cells. The devices can have a camera for recording the prison and its technical solutions as well as the prisoners, which endangers the prisoners' privacy. Using a camera in prison is allowed only under the decision of the prison director.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?Yes. In the last incident, a prisoner told that he had noticed such a device outside the window of his prison cell. The people who were controlling the device outside the prison were identified and their personal details were put on record for possible further measures.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?Two prisons are piloting a system, which recognises radio-controlled devices entering the prison premises.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?For prison security reasons, the issue should be taken into account in national legislation.
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Yes.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?According to our overview of situation and according to available information we don't find these types of event to be increasing.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?We find that these types of events considerably increase risks which can jeopardize security of correctional institution given the possibility of recording internal perimeter, throwing in illicit objects, especially those suitable for perpetrating assault and escape.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?Although this issue is still under consideration, instruction was given to correctional institutions how to conduct in case in cases of flight of UAV over the correctional institution or its retaining within perimeter.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?Instruction for conduct is consisted of tracing the UAV inside the perimeter and redirecting activities of prisoners who are inside of the area of UAV flight (or even terminating activities). Instruction for conduct also orders enhanced surveillance of prisoners and enhanced level of all other components of security in terms of security department tasks (searches of prisoners, searches of space, enhanced caution and control of movement etc.) This can also lead to notifying police station in local area whose officers are authorized to check identity of any person in proximity of correctional institution which is believed to be operating with UAV.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?We consider risks and threats connected to UAVs extremely high and we believe it's necessary to legally define number of elements of using UAVs over the areas of correctional institutions.
We have noted some cases of UAV:s that have emerged in proximity to some prisons , but we cannot say with certainty whether this is because there is a jail on site or whether this has other causes.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?No
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?UAV:s may be used to drop weapons or drugs into the prison. There is also a risk that a UAV will take photographs of the premises and of the inmates.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?Yes
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?The Norwegian Correctional Service recently contacted the Civil Aviation Authority in order to investigate the possibility of establishing no-fly zone over eight of our high security prisons. We have not yet received an answer
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?No
Two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (hereinafter: drones) were observed flying in or close to the vicinity of Hungarian institutions (Baranya County Prison, Budapest Remand Prison) on 15 November and 14 December, 2015. Although the drones were visible to the naked eye, they did not trigger any alarm, nor were they detectable via CCTV channels.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?No such statement can be made, as drone sightings are limited to the two occasions mentioned above. As of 2016, no reports of drone sightings have been filed so far.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Establishing contact without permission, illicit gathering of intelligence (e.g.: recording the layout of the institution or the relief data of the premises), smuggling contraband items and/or triggering events that endanger the safe and secure operation of the institutions. No such things have been experienced with the two cases so far.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?No such plans are underway considering the novelty of the issue in question.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?The Hungarian Prison Service shall adopt a strategy (taking into account the relevant international experience) aimed at limiting or avoiding the threat attributed to drone approaches and fly-ins. In order to eliminate the issue, the Hungarian Prison Service Headquarters has initiated the drafting procedure of the legal framework required to assess and employ the available technical devices and security appliances for future use.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Regarding the limitations applying to air-space use, the institutions at present have no mandate to perform any countermeasures against drones.
Currently, in Latvia we do not have registered unauthorised unmanned aircraft access to places of imprisonment.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing? What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Latvian Prison Administration Security Department have information that prisoners have considered the possibility of using unmanned aircraft for supplying prohibited substances and objects for prisoners, but, to our knowledge, such delivery method of prohibited items and substances is not being used.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?If in Latvia this problem will be found, places of imprisonment will take steps to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles / shooting down through dedicated technology.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?The law prohibits the delivery of prohibited substances and objects to prisoners in any way. Both the Latvian Administrative Violations Code and the Criminal Law can hold one liable.
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?No.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?No.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?UAV's may let other people who are outside the prison to observe prison structure and this may even lead escape of prisoners (with plans provided, and if UAVs observe prison structure then they may also realize the strong and weak parts of prison security), also taking photo or video in prisonsby third parties without permission of Ministry is restricted by law, if photos or videos are taken by UAVs that will definetly be the security violation. In addition UAVs may lead illegal materials to intrude inside the prison thats why UAVs shall be kept out of prisons, security measurements shall be taken against such UAVs.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?No.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future? Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?Prisons shall be constructed far away from residential areas, also prison campus models which contains several prisons together, are good for avoiding such UAV incidents. Because its more safeguarded, far away from residential areas, since campus models are constructed in a huge area reaching near prison is most likely impossible for UAVs like drones.
We have not experienced any events involving UAVs.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?N/A
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?The risks exist: explosive attack, dropping parachutes, filming the facility, making illicit photographs.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?No, no study linked to the penitentiary has been made.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?N/A
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?A law for using UAV exists and regulates their use.
Yes, only one event, in 2015 , in Remand Prison in Gdańsk. Ita was UAV Dron Phantom, without registrating equipment.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?No. It was only one event.
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?UAV is able to transmit the picture and sound from the area of the prison. It is also possible to smuggle dangerous objects or letters.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?No.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?In March 2016 we organised a meeting with the representatives of GPS.PL company, who presented special equipment for preventing the usage of mobile phones by the inmates and protection of the prison area against UAV>
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?No.
There were no events linked to UAVs.
If yes, do you consider these types of events to be increasing?Not applicable
What types of risks have you identified concerning UAV:s in prison environment?The risks exist: explosive attack, dropping off parachutes, filming the installations, taking illicit photos.
Have you worked out any course of action to meet the threat from UAV:s?No, no study related to prisons hasn't been carried out as far as I know.
If yes, which steps have been taken so far, and which ones are you planning in a nearby future?Not applicable
Do you have anything else that, according to your assessment, needs to be taken into account concerning UAV:s in prison environment?A law on using UAVs exists and regulates their usage.