There’s a Drone in My Correctional Facility – Now What?

Correctional facilities around the world face a persistent threat: drone-based contraband infiltrating their secured walls. As more facilities adopt airspace security technologies, not only are they taking an active approach to counter the drone threat, but also apply airspace security intelligence and insights into their standard security operating procedures.

Among the top threats presented by drones are contraband delivery, and hostile surveillance. Contraband entering a facility, including drugs, weapons, and cell phones, can easily snowball into larger issues. Bad actors may survey a corrections facility to observe staff or inmate movements, or aid in escapes. Today, over 50 correctional facilities around the world integrate Dedrone’s smart airspace security insights and intelligence to protect their response protocols and protect operational continuity.

WATCH REPLAY

Watch the on-demand replay of Dedrone's latest webinar,  "Drones & Prisons: Airspace Security Best Practices for Correction Facilities"

Standard Operating Procedures for Corrections’ Drone Airspace Breaches

Prison security teams can act today to ensure safe operations against drones. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) at prisons are advancing with new information from drone detection systems, and offers a plan of action for corrections security leaders to add Dedrone software, DedroneTracker.AI, insights and intelligence into their SOPs.

Before the Drone Incursion:

• Confirm airspace restrictions in your area, and identify local resources to respond in the event of an emergency: In the event of a hostile drone incursion, first check with cooperating law enforcement, and local aviation authorities, what information they need, and when to call them for support in apprehending drone pilots.
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• Maintain detection technology: Detect drones before they enter the facility or critical operation areas. Early warning allows for teams to observe the drone alert and determine whether it poses a threat.
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• Trigger real-time alerts to staff automatically: In the event a drone breaches critical airspace, real-time alerts can be sent to staff with specific information to patrol certain parts of a facility.

During the Incursion:

• Protect operations: Move inmates indoors or to protected areas, shut down windows.
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• Notify local police: Close cooperation with local law enforcement can support operations outside the facility.

• Track the drone and the pilot: Using DedroneTracker.AI flightpath tools, corrections security teams can direct and deploy a response team in the direction of the drone, to either retrieve contraband that has been dropped, or locate the pilot to apprehend them and halt the flight.

• Capture and record forensic evidence: Whether the drone is visiting your facility for the first time or has made multiple visits, DedroneTracker.AI shares historical data for you to use should you need to investigate a pilot or hand over evidence to law enforcement for further prosecution.
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• Educate local community: Reduce the “careless and clueless” drone flights that could disrupt prison operations.
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• Make strategic decisions and investments based on real data: Dedrone offers a scalable solution that fits your threat profile, the scope of your drone problem, and stays within your budget.

Ultimately, the only drone that matters is the one that a corrections security team does not want in their airspace. Corrections teams can protect their airspace today by assessing the true nature of drone activity over their operations. With early detection and in-depth data, corrections facility teams can protect operational continuity, prevent contraband deliveries, and maintain control of their airspace.

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