Drug problems at Beziers Prison
In 2022, Beziers Prison seized 15 kilograms of drugs and 189 mobile phones in a raid, all of which were intercepted by staff after being delivered by drones. In recent years, the popularity and price reduction of home drones have made prisoners more unscrupulous in using these technical means to receive drugs and other contraband. Faced with this grim situation, staff and union representatives at Beziers Prison have called on the government to introduce anti-drone signal jammers to effectively combat drug trafficking in prisons.
Beziers Prison needs drone jammer support
Staff at Beziers Prison said they found drones flying over the prison almost every night. David Parmentier, a representative of the French Blue Herault Department Union, said: "The government's response is too slow, and we need to take immediate action." He stressed that the introduction of anti-drone signal jammers is crucial to preventing contraband such as drugs and weapons from entering prisons. He believes that the lack of this equipment is not just an oversight, but a major management error.
Parmentier also pointed out that it is incredible that Beziers Prison currently holds more than 1,000 prisoners, but is not equipped with any anti-drone equipment. He mentioned that the Toulouse-Secis Detention Center is the only institution equipped with this technology, and its effect is remarkable. Within only 10 days of installing anti-drone equipment, it effectively curbed the trafficking activities of prisoners. "This shows the effectiveness of the equipment, which can immediately stop illegal activities," he said.
Major problems in prisons
- The alarming increase in the number of drugs.Parmentier said that the 15 kilograms of drugs seized in package inspections in 2022 are just the tip of the iceberg, and the actual number may be three to four times higher. Drone delivery over prisons at night has become the norm, and the union said it poses a great challenge to prison security. Parmentier further pointed out: "It may sound ironic that the amount of drugs in prison may have exceeded that outside, but it is indeed a serious problem."
- The intersection of mental health and drug problems. In addition to drug problems, mental health problems in prisons have also attracted much attention. Many prisoners face psychological barriers after entering prison, and the influx of drugs has undoubtedly hindered their rehabilitation and treatment. Parmentier said: "Prison is like a small town, where habitual criminals are imprisoned. If there is no prison, the situation will only get worse without the use of drone blocker jammers and other methods to stop trafficking."
The union called for increased resource investment to solve the problem
In response to the escalating drug trafficking, union representative Parmentier believes that anti-drone jammer devices will be the key to solving the problem. He emphasized: "Where there is trafficking, there will be extortion and violence, and territorial wars will occur inside and outside the prison. Although it may not be realistic to completely stop drug trafficking, signal jammers can at least effectively limit the transportation of drugs."
However, Beziers Prison is still facing a shortage of resources, and 10% of regulatory positions have not been filled. The union called on the government to increase the resource investment in prisons while strengthening anti-drone technology to protect the safety of staff and maintain order in prisons.
