The UK’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, has sounded the alarm over drones smuggling contraband into high-security prisons.
Organised Crime Gangs Exploit Airspace Above Prisons
Taylor’s report, released Tuesday, highlights the regular use of drones by organised crime gangs to deliver drugs, weapons, and phones into HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin. These prisons house some of the UK’s most dangerous inmates.
“It is highly alarming that the police and prison service have effectively ceded airspace to criminal gangs,” Taylor stated. He warned that contraband deliveries compromise staff and prisoner safety and pose a serious threat to public security.
Investigations conducted last year revealed thriving black markets within the prisons, driven by drone deliveries. Taylor cautioned that the large volumes of contraband could lead to major disruptions and even potential escapes.
Rising Violence and Security Lapses
Both prisons have experienced increased violence and self-harm, exacerbated by the widespread availability of drugs and the debts they create among inmates. Taylor’s report also criticised the deteriorating state of basic security measures, including damaged protective netting and broken CCTV systems.
HMP Manchester, labelled one of the “most violent prisons in the country,” was flagged for urgent government action in October. Inspectors found prisoners burning holes in secure windows to receive drone-delivered packages. The facility also faces severe issues with prisoner assaults and a chronic rodent infestation.
At HMP Manchester, 39% of inmates tested positive for drugs, while at HMP Long Lartin, half of the prisoners reported easy access to drugs and alcohol.
Overcrowding Adds to Crisis
Overcrowding remains a critical issue, with the prison population in England and Wales approaching 97,700 in 2024.
In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has implemented measures like early release for some inmates to address the crisis. However, Taylor’s findings underline the need for more robust strategies to tackle smuggling and improve safety in UK prisons.