Drones banned from flying over Queensland jails

FURTHER no-fly zones have been declared for aerial drones as their popularity surges and a disturbing trend emerges.

• Prisons like fight clubs
• Younger criminals stuck
• Jails bursting at seams

AERIAL drones have been banned from flying over the state’s jails after an emergence of people trying to smuggle in drugs and mobile phones.

The State Government has introduced the regulation after a number of incidents around Australia.

A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman said the laws banning aerial drones would come into effect on Thursday.

The maximum fine is two years’ jail or a $12,615 fine.

“Drones pose a risk to the safety and security of correctional centres on a number of fronts,” the spokesman said.

“They can be used to deliver contraband, they can be used as a surveillance tool for planning or aiding an escape, they could be used as a weapon in some instances, and they have potential to cause general mischief.

“QCS has a range of high-tech security measures in place to discourage and detect illegal activities such as these, and the new regulation supports those measures.”

It is understood an incident took place near Brisbane Women’s and Wolston jail earlier this year, however Corrective Services refused to comment.

Wolston Correctional Centre near Brisbane

Two people were arrested by police after trying to fly a drone into Arthur Gorrie jail near Brisbane last year.

They were found with multiple mobile phones, tobacco and prescription drugs.

A drone was captured on footage dropping drugs into maximum security jail Lithgow Correctional Centre in NSW last year.

Mareeba man Jackson Carr was caught by police flying a drone over Lotus Glen Correctional Centre with a drone in October.

The jail went into lockdown after it was spotted and he was tracked down by the dog squad.

He had filmed with the drone.

He was placed on a $600 three-month good behaviour bond without a conviction recorded.

QCS Commissioner Peter Martin said that while no drones had been seized inside a Queensland jail, it was important to remain vigilant.

“We have seen an increasing incidence of drones flying near correctional centres in the last 12 months as they become more popular within the community,” he said.

“While the majority of these have been recreational enthusiasts, the potential for illegal activity is there, and QCS takes no chances.”

Originally published as Drones banned from flying over Queensland jails