The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is piloting advanced artificial intelligence (AI) drone detection technology to tackle the growing problem of airborne contraband deliveries to inmates, the Scottish Parliament has heard. The move comes amid a sharp rise in the number of drones detected over prison grounds and mounting concerns about the security risks posed by increasingly sophisticated smuggling operations.
According to SPS figures, drone incursions have surged in recent years, with detections jumping from just two in 2019 to nine in the first three months of 2023 alone. These drones are frequently used to deliver drugs, mobile phones, and weapons, posing a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of both inmates and staff.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance told Parliament:
“Both the Scottish Prison Service and Scottish government are fully aware of the negative impact of drones being used to introduce illicit items into our prison estate and understand the threat that this has on operational stability of our prisons. A technological response to support the identification of drones within SPS airspace is currently being piloted. This should provide vital evidence to support wider use of this technology throughout the rest of the prison estate. The health and wellbeing of those who live and work in prison remains a priority for this government.”
The AI-powered systems, such as those developed by Walaris, use multispectral cameras and proprietary computer vision algorithms to autonomously detect, track, and classify drones in real time. Once a drone is identified, the system alerts prison operators, enabling rapid interception of both the device and its illicit cargo. The technology is designed to minimize false alarms by distinguishing drones from birds or other objects, and can also help authorities trace the drone back to its operator.
Michael Stoney, governor of HMP Barlinnie, Scotland’s largest prison, described the challenge: “Prisoners are very creative, so they’ll figure out new ways to do it and they’ll go to extreme lengths to do it as well. Our job is to win as many battles as we can. Drones are now our latest scourge and the battle against drones continues. We look at different and new ways on how we can combat that. And we’ll get to a point where we get a good solution. Something else may come along.”
The SPS has stated: “Any attempt to bring illicit substances into our establishment, including by a drone, poses a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of those in our care, and the safety of our staff, and we will use all technological and intelligence tools available to prevent this wherever possible. We continue to work with Police Scotland, and other partners, to take action against those who attempt to breach our security.”
While the pilot is ongoing, officials hope that the deployment of AI-driven detection systems will provide a vital boost to prison security and serve as a deterrent to organised crime groups exploiting drone technology. The Scottish government and SPS are closely monitoring the pilot’s results, with a view to rolling out the technology more widely if it proves effective.
