Prison services

The Prison Service and its subordinate prisons and detention centres have been reporting increasing use of drones in criminal activities. Illegal overflights of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are aimed at exploring the security of prison infrastructure or smuggling illegal or dangerous objects and substances (e.g., drugs, weapons, SIM cards or mobile phones).

Smuggling drugs, knife blades, SIM cards and even mobile phones is not at all uncommon. Examples of the use of drones in smuggling activities have been observed for several years in the United States and in Europe. Due to continuous improvements in equipment, drones are proving useful for surveillance of the Prison Service and attacks on inmates. A drone on the premises of a penitentiary significantly reduces the security of both the prisoners and the staff.

The problem with drones in these types of units is noticed all over the world, drones have become an easy way to bypass ground-based security systems, including walls and bars. It has become so commonplace that these problems have become elements of films and television crime series.
 

In the effective protection of prison facilities against drones – due to the characteristics of their locations, often in close proximity to city centres – systems based on passive detection, i.e., direction finders, are proving effective. These devices detect the connection between the drone and the operator and are very effective in heavily urbanised spaces. They also enable the detection of the drone operator, which is also essential for law enforcement purposes.

Omnidirectional neutralisers (with a power range selected to suit individual requirements) or hand-held neutralisers and drone takeover modules are used to effectively prevent a drone from entering a prison or detention facility.