The correctional officers’ union expressed concern after an inmate reportedly received a delivery of McDonald’s food and alcohol via a drone at Canada’s high-security prison in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, involved the drone dropping off chicken nuggets, fries, sauce, and alcohol at the inmate’s cell window in the special handling unit.
Mike Bolduc, the regional president of the UCCO-SACC-CSN union, highlighted the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing the growing problem of contraband entering the facility through drones. He stressed the potential dangers, questioning what might come next if such deliveries are allowed to continue unchecked.
The inmate in question was housed in the special handling unit, which accommodates violent and high-risk offenders, including infamous criminals like Clifford Olson and Allan Legere, as well as convicted terrorists. Bolduc expressed disbelief at the breach of security, given the facility’s reputation as Canada’s most secure prison.
Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of Correctional Service Canada’s (CSC) drone detection technology, as it appeared to have failed in this instance. Bolduc speculated that inmates might be exploiting blind spots by using multiple drones to evade detection. The union has been advocating for the installation of physical netting as a solution to prevent further drone deliveries.
Bolduc urged federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to take immediate action, emphasizing the need to prioritize security measures in the wake of the alarming incident. Conservative MP Frank Caputo criticized the government’s response to drone-related contraband issues in prisons, calling for more robust measures to address the escalating problem.
CSC acknowledged the incident and stated that it is under review, refraining from providing further details for security reasons. The spokesperson emphasized CSC’s ongoing efforts to combat contraband smuggling through various security measures, including staff vigilance, intelligence activities, technology deployment, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation continues, stakeholders are calling for swift action to prevent similar incidents in the future and safeguard the security of both inmates and the public.
