The chief inspector of prisons has issued an urgent warning about drones delivering weapons and contraband into high-security prisons in England and Wales, declaring it a serious threat to national security.
Charlie Taylor, head of the prison watchdog, revealed that organized crime gangs are regularly using sophisticated drones to deliver drugs, weapons, and other illicit items into HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin - two maximum security facilities housing some of the country's most dangerous inmates.
Inspection reports found that basic security measures like protective netting and CCTV systems had fallen into disrepair at both prisons. At HMP Manchester, inmates were burning holes in secure windows to receive drone deliveries, while at Long Lartin, contraband was being dropped in black plastic bags that blended in with regular waste.
The drones being used are highly advanced, equipped with thermal imaging technology and capable of carrying payloads up to 7kg under cover of darkness. Prison staff report regular nighttime drone activity, with one inmate comparing the situation to "an airport."
"The police and prison service have effectively surrendered the airspace above these high-security prisons to organized crime gangs," Taylor stated. He warned that the unchecked drone deliveries could enable terrorism suspects and criminal gangs to obtain weapons for potential escapes or attacks on guards.
The reports highlight that HMP Manchester has become one of the most violent prisons in England and Wales, with drug use and violence surging. At Long Lartin, where terrorist offenders are held, inspectors found that half of surveyed prisoners said obtaining drugs and alcohol was "easy."
The Ministry of Justice responded that they are working to address these issues by investing in prison maintenance, security upgrades, and collaboration with police to combat organized crime. However, Taylor emphasized that immediate action is required from law enforcement and prison services to regain control of prison airspace and stem the flow of contraband.