Drones: High-security Prisons Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Drones: High-security Prisons

Ruth Jones Excerpts
Tuesday 14th January 2025

(1 day, 12 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nicholas Dakin Portrait Sir Nicholas Dakin
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That important action taken by the previous Government was, quite correctly, supported by Labour in opposition. When anybody is found guilty of flying a detected drone, the appropriate prosecution will follow.

Ruth Jones Portrait Ruth Jones (Newport West and Islwyn) (Lab)
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The Welsh Affairs Committee recently visited Parc Prison in Wales, where we saw the types of contraband being smuggled into prisons by drones. One of the biggest problems reported to us was multiple drones coming in at the same time; it is difficult for the security team to then bring them down, even though they are using CCTV. What is the Minister doing to outlaw the use of those drones, to keep our prisoners safe and secure?

Nicholas Dakin Portrait Sir Nicholas Dakin
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The security and safety of prisoners and prison officers is very important. The Prisons Minister and the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Alex Davies-Jones), sitting to my right, recently visited Parc Prison, and are well aware of the issues. They are working with the prison authorities to address them.