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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:
Currently in Latvian prisons there have not been registered a single unauthorised „drone” flight over a place of imprisonment.
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight?Security department of Latvian Prison Administration has knowledge that inmates have considered using drones to receive prohibited substances and objects; however, according to our information, this option of delivery by drones is not in use at the moment due to the high costs of drones.
What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?The delivery of prohibited substances and objects to inmates is prohibited by law. A person can be held responsible both by the Latvian Administrative Violations Code and the Criminal Law. However, there is a problem with using drones for intelligence purposes, as the air space above places of imprisonment have not been defined and as such they do not prohibit entry by third parties and objects/devices not part of places of imprisonment.
Special Remarks or CommentsNot yet.
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight?N/A
What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?We do not have information on any promising solution at this very moment.
Special Remarks or CommentsNo
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight?N/A
What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?Not at present
Special Remarks or CommentsYes
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight?transfer of items forbidden to inmates, especially mobile phones
What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?Flight regulations exist in Lithuania which regulate the basic conditions for such flights, but the mechanism of detection or catching an offender/ an owner of drone is not yet in place. We are considering technical measures to prevent flights over correctional institutions as well as radio signal jamming equipment.
Special Remarks or CommentsThis content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
A search of SPS paper and electronic records does not reveal any experiences of unathorised drone flights over Scottish prisons. The Scottish Prison Service is aware of the potential for drones/quad-copters to be used illegally and discussions are on-going as to the potential threat.
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight?N/A
What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?As above. SPS is in discussion with partner agencies regarding preventative measures.
Special Remarks or CommentsNo, we have not such experiences.
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight? What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?We have not such solutions yet.
Special Remarks or CommentsIn Sweden drones are becoming a popular element in both civil and professional terms. So far we have just experienced one proven case of unauthorized drone flight in the direct vicinity of one of our major detention centers. As if by coincidence, in the same week, there were reports about a couple of incidents in the United States. Apparently there had been three confirmed contraband, by flying drones, in to prisons in Maryland, Ohio and South Carolina. On these occasions, both drugs and porn were dropped into the prison area. At least one of the cases rendered in a minor riot among the inmates when the cargo was dropped. Anyhow, the incident and those reports together led to an intensive information exchange with prison and probation services in some other countries. The result showed that Canada have had similar incidents on a number of occasions. They had seen several incidents over the past couple of years, with some of those being actual contraband drops. Greece, Brazil, Australia and even New Zealand also have had experience. At this point, we have released the information trough our security network in the Swedish Prison and Probation Service. The purpose is to have our staff increase their attention when performing security and perimeter patrols, and ensure that we are using diverse sources of intelligence. That way, if a drop does occur, staffs are more likely to intercept the contraband before the inmates ever get to it. The transport agency in Sweden has declared the airspace above prisons and custody's of the highest security-level as restricted. This was enacted several years ago, and was more about ensuring that small planes and helicopters did not circle institutions taking pictures, or worst case scenario, try to land inside a prison yard to help an inmate escape The Swedish prison and probation service has started a project to evaluate the use of radar for detecting unauthorized drone flights. So far the results have been unsatisfactory regarding smaller drones that generally have a very small reflective surface. Currently the Swedish prison and probation services rely on CCTV and observations from staff members to detect unauthorized drone flights. In some of our units the the inmate's outdoor areas are covered with fine mesh bars to prevent contraband to be delivered either by drones or persons. Due to Swedish law the Swedish prison and probation services has concentrated their efforts on detecting unauthorized drone flights and not on jamming detected intrusions. The Swedish prison and probation service explores possibilities to conduct joint efforts with other Swedish government agencies that have similar problems with drones. Regarding both detection and counter measures to prevent a detected intrusion. In the meantime, our staff are practicing their dynamic security skills and increasing their awareness all around. Drones are a new threat in terms of perimeter intrusion. With a number of countries currently facing this same problem I would guess that technology specific to combatting drones (whatever that will look like) is certainly going to be developed sooner rather than later.
If yes, what was found to be the purpose of the flight?There is nothing to suggest that the intention of the only proven case was to do something illegal, but it undeniably grounds for increased vigilance. Such "modus operandi" can easily become epidemic and spread.
What are legal and technical solutions to prevent these kind of drone-flights in your country?see question number one.
Special Remarks or Comments