A drone was able to deliver McDonald’s nuggets, fries, dipping sauce, and even some alcohol to an inmate at a correctional facility in Quebec, CTV News has confirmed.
The items were delivered to the inmate’s cell window at the Special Handling Unit (SHU) at the federal institution in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Que., the union of correctional officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) said. The incident, which was first reported by TVA Nouvelles, happened in the early morning hours on Thursday and comes amid growing concerns about contraband getting into correctional facilities in Quebec, including via drones.
The SHU, built in 1984 and located roughly 55 kilometres north of Montreal, can accommodate approximately 90 inmates and houses some of the most dangerous criminals who cannot be integrated into a maximum-security penitentiary for safety reasons.
The facility is meant to be one of the most secure correctional facilities in Canada and is supposed to be “strictly regulated and rigidly controlled with a high degree of monitoring,” according to Correctional Service Canada (CSC).
CSC is now investigating the matter.
“The introduction of contraband and unauthorized items into correctional institutions remains an important issue that CSC continues to actively address,” said CSC spokesperson Kevin Antonucci in an email.
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“Any attempt to introduce contraband or unauthorized items into a correctional institution, including through the use of drones, poses a risk to the safety and security of institutions, staff, inmates and the public. CSC continues to implement a multi-layered approach that includes staff vigilance, security intelligence activities, searches, detection technologies, and collaboration with police and other partners.”
CSC said inmates who are found to be in possession of contraband may be subject to disciplinary sanctions, administrative measures, or criminal charges.
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Frank Caputo, the federal Conservative Party’s public safety critic, said that the incident is “outrageous.”
“Drones are a huge issue dropping off drugs, weapons, other contraband, cellphones into jails,” he said in a video posted on social media, adding that CSC has been slow to address the problem, which poses risk to staff.
“Our correctional officers deserve better.”
