The Quebec government is implementing fresh strategies to prevent contraband from infiltrating its correctional facilities. Among the new measures is a 12-month trial initiative at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, where inmates will be mandated to wear uniforms starting in September.
According to the Public Security Ministry, the decision to have inmates wear uniforms aims to streamline the search process, distinguish them from staff and visitors, and eliminate any indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence. Presently, detainees in Quebec detention centers wear their personal clothing, but this practice has led to issues such as the smuggling of illicit substances like drugs concealed in clothing seams or shoes.
Isabelle Mailloux, the director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted the challenges posed by inmates using their attire for smuggling purposes. She mentioned instances where incarcerated individuals resorted to inventive methods like soaking clothes in illicit substances to bypass security measures.
The uniform will comprise basic and comfortable garments such as cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The choice of the Roberval facility for the pilot project was influenced by its sewing workshop, offering inmates the opportunity to craft their own pants.
Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister, Ian Lafrenière, emphasized that the initiative is geared towards fostering social reintegration through employment. The government’s $35 million investment in 2023 to enhance security in detention facilities aligns with this objective.
Additionally, the government is enhancing disciplinary actions by expanding the scope of misconduct that staff can report at Quebec’s detention centers. The amendments to the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec, effective from September 28, will permit the reporting of incidents involving prohibited substances and items delivered by drones.
Mailloux underscored the persistent challenge posed by drones, labeling them as a scourge that authorities have been grappling with for several years. Data from Quebec’s correctional services network revealed a significant number of drone sightings at detention centers, with 234 instances reported between April and June this year alone.
The revised disciplinary system will empower committees to impose harsher penalties for serious infractions like smuggling cellphones or causing damage to infrastructure. These sanctions could include community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, all while considering the inmates’ physical and mental well-being. The government intends to evaluate the outcomes of the pilot project to decide on the potential implementation of inmate uniforms across Quebec.