Dedrone by Axon’s Post

Its quite shocking to read the statistics in this report concerning assaults on our prison officers. As like Policing, these officers turn up to simply do their job and want to return home safely to their families and friends. Since leaving the Police I've always tried to work with companies that can do their part in trying to keep our public sector workers safe. We already know drones play a role in bringing in contraband to our prison estate, but they also have the ability to bring in weapons. For me, having the capability to stop this from happening is key. #counterdrone #cuas #prisons #prisonservice #protection #publicsectorsafety

Are Counter-Drone/UAV/UAS State Regulations loopholes allowing criminal activities (e.g. prison smuggling) to spread? This massive smuggling operation discovered in Georgia exposes UAV/Drone loopholes and is being carefully watched! Counter Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle/Systems (UAV/UAS) & Counter Drone technology is only permitted by federal agencies in specific circumstances, making it easier for criminals to enter secure areas with drones/UAVs. "In a significant crackdown named Operation Skyhawk, authorities in Georgia have dismantled what is believed to be the largest smuggling operation within the state’s correctional system. The operation has led to the arrest of 150 individuals, including eight prison employees, under accusations of smuggling drugs, weapons, and other contraband into prisons using drones." "The operation spotlighted a Gwinnett County drone repair shop, Thunder Drones, owned by Robert Schwartz. Schwartz, along with an employee, Nelda Alber, were arrested as part of the investigation. The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) agents executed raids on both the shop and Schwartz’s residence, seizing over 50 drones suspected of being used in the smuggling operations." " Over 1,000 criminal charges have been filed, highlighting the extensive nature of the smuggling ring which spanned across multiple states and involved a complex network of inmates, their associates, and GDC employees. The 16-month-long investigation revealed a sophisticated operation where drones were primarily used to smuggle tobacco, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids, and pills, some containing fentanyl, into the prisons. This operation also led to the confiscation of dozens of weapons and over 400 cellphones." "This case has drawn attention to the critical role of internal and external cooperation in combating contraband smuggling within the prison system. With charges ranging from drug trafficking and possession of firearms by convicted felons to violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participating in criminal gang activity, the legal proceedings following these arrests will be closely watched." #uavcounter #dronecounter #uavdroneregulations https://lnkd.in/eGAkAx9X

The UK Government has introduced new legislation to establish 400-meter 'no-fly zones' around prisons and young offender institutions to combat prison smuggling via drones. The law, effective from January 25, 2024, makes it an automatic offence to fly drones within these zones. This change is significant as police were previously only able to act if there was evidence of contraband being smuggled. Violators face fines up to £2,500, and those caught smuggling illicit items could face up to ten years in prison. This crackdown comes in response to the doubling of drone sightings and captures in prison grounds between 2019 and 2021. The measure aims to disrupt criminal gangs and their drug supply routes, enhancing prison security and reducing violence and criminality. The initiative is part of a broader £100 million investment in prison security, which includes advanced x-ray security, drug detection dogs, and trace detection equipment. Over 500 drones have been intercepted or sighted around prisons in England and Wales from 2019 to 2021. Since June 2016, over 70 drone-related convictions have been secured, amounting to a total of 240 years in prison sentences. Additional measures include deploying over 600 search dogs and recruiting 160 counter-corruption personnel to strengthen prison security further. Requests for exemptions to operate drones within these restricted areas must be submitted to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and approved by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). #droneregulations #crimeprevention #prisons #drones #dronepilots

This is a very interesting article on how bureaucracy is getting in the way of the safety of CSC personel and inmates. The technology exists to keep drones out of prisons, it is readily available and has been trialed and proven. The safety of CSC personel and the inmates is being blocked by government bureaucracy to revamp old legislation to reflect the existing and emerging technologies. https://lnkd.in/eD7thpAH

Interesting news from my home province, British Columbia: The correctional service says it currently lacks the 'legal authority' to use drone-jamming technology but is exploring both the 'legal processes and feasibility' of eventually using the tech. There is a great opportunity for CUAS, UAV, and UAS SMEs to support correctional services, as well as a wider opportunity for Canada to discuss and collaborate to ensure geocaging, geofencing, regulations, legislation, policies, and powers (among other things) are in place to advance security within prisons and beyond. Separately, I have seen how prisons in Southeast Asia have combated drone smuggling into prisons, as well as drones flying into sensitive and/or populated urban areas. A collaborative effort across industry, coupled with informed, competent, and efficient decision-making, helps drive advancement for 21st century issues.

Drones banned from flying within 400 metres of prisons People caught smuggling items behind bars already face up to 10 years in prison. "No-fly zones" have been implemented around prisons in England and Wales to counter the use of drones for delivering illicit substances to inmates. This legal adjustment empowers authorities to impose fines of up to £2,500 on drone operators flying within 400 meters of closed prisons or young offender institutions. Those caught smuggling items behind bars already face a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. The new regulations, which took effect on Thursday, enable authorities to promptly identify suspicious drones and take action against potential criminal activities. Additionally, they enhance security measures by preventing unauthorized filming behind prison walls. Between 2019 and 2021, a total of 504 drones were spotted, intercepted, or seized around prisons in England and Wales. Collaborative efforts between police and prison staff have resulted in over 70 convictions since June 2016. #security #cybersecurity #drone #uas #prison #inmate #drugs #contraband

£22m spent on anti drone windows at one prison vs SkyFence for all Cat A & B prisons. Recent reports from The Evening Standard highlight a growing issue in UK prisons—drones delivering contraband like drugs directly into prison yards. A significant example is HMP Wandsworth, where illicit deliveries have prompted a £22 million investment in window upgrades to curb this problem. However, with that budget, prisons across the country could have adopted a much more effective and forward-thinking solution: Drone Defence technology. At Drone Defence, we've seen first-hand the effectiveness of our SkyFence system, which has been successfully safeguarding Guernsey Prison for years. By using electronic countermeasures, SkyFence prevents drones from flying into restricted areas by disrupting their command and navigation signals. With a modest investment of £250,000, HMP Wandsworth could have implemented this cutting-edge solution, blocking smuggling attempts 24/7, in any weather, without the need for constant human monitoring. The costs are clear: with the £22 million spent on window upgrades for just one prison, every Category A and B prison in the UK could have been equipped with SkyFence, significantly reducing the impact of drone smuggling across the entire prison network. It's time for prisons to embrace modern security solutions that address 21st-century problems head-on. To learn more about how SkyFence can safeguard critical infrastructures and facilities from drone-related threats, get in touch with us today. #DroneDefence #SkyFence #PrisonSecurity #CounterDroneTech #AviationSecurity #InnovationInSecurity Alan Drinkwater, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), Charles Hymas, Rory Stewart https://lnkd.in/ewZS34GM

Within the complex environment of prisons, technological innovation is crucial for improving safety and operational effectiveness. The Sky-Hero by AXON Unified Tactical Recon Robotic system marks a significant leap forward in correctional facilities, benefiting both guards and overall management. Its effectiveness was demonstrated in various scenarios during the recent #MockPrisonRiot held in Moundsville, WV, USA. This system offers: • Optimized Surveillance: By utilizing robots for conducting rounds, correctional facilities ensure thorough surveillance and accurate documentation. Additionally, these robots are instrumental in detecting suspicious activity and mitigating potential incidents, thereby alleviating the workload on guards and enhancing overall security. • Enhanced Security: Constant monitoring through robotic reconnaissance systems swiftly alerts guards to abnormal behavior, enabling timely interventions and fostering a safer environment within correctional facilities. • Support for Officers: The adoption of these technologies empowers guards to prioritize interpersonal interactions and strategic tasks, ultimately reducing stress and improving operational effectiveness. Integration of Sky-Hero by AXON robotic ecosystem in correctional facilities is pivotal for enhancing security and operational efficacy. #correction #prison #robotic #unmannedsystem #AXON

Well this headline is certainly sensational: 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. But if you dig down into the article, you’ll read that this was pretty much just like any other case of someone trying to make a delivery into a prison via drone. But that’s exactly the problem - attempted deliveries into prisons are becoming almost routine. The fact that the headline has to be so sensational (spoiler alert: the accused is only 44), is proof enough. It is vital that every prison, correctional facility, penitentiary or similar establishment have anti-drone technology to combat these attempt. I’m very proud that Sentrycs has the technology to mitigate these incidents and protect all parties, inside and outside the prisons. #Drones #DroneTechnology #DroneSecurity #PrisonSecurity #HomelandSecurity #LawEnforcement #CUAS #UAS https://lnkd.in/ehnNiMVR

At ZoneAware we listen to a lot of potential customers and prisons stand out as lacking adequate counter drone systems. They suffer daily drone incursions flying in drugs, weapons and phones! Ian Bickers, former London Prisons Group Director told us that "organised crime gangs have been quick to leverage drone technology. There is a system-wide problem for daily drone flights involving contraband but the solutions costing millions are not feasible". So why don't these HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Prison Groups have effective CUAS where it is needed? It is too expensive, it is too complex to operate without specialists, and the systems are not scalable to meet the threat. Arrests like this one reported this week by BBC News are needed to disrupt organised crime. There needs to be an effective and affordable CUAS that can be operated by existing prisons officers - this is what we are aiming to deliver at ZoneAware. https://lnkd.in/e5TbcTyb