Scottish prisons are increasingly locking down on the high-tech threat of drones delivering drugs, phones, and other contraband to inmates — with early results showing promising disruption to organised crime networks operating behind bars.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) says a recent pilot scheme, including the installation of metal grilles on vulnerable windows, has halted drone breaches at Perth Prison over the last six months. The move is part of a broader strategy to tackle the growing problem of drones being used as airborne couriers of illegal goods.
A Growing Threat From Above
The smuggling of contraband into prisons has always been a cat-and-mouse game. But in recent years, drones have become the weapon of choice for criminals looking to bypass traditional security.
Drones have been spotted delivering drugs, mobile phones, syringes, steroids, and other banned items. The size and sophistication of drones—and their cargo—have increased, with some capable of carrying loads worth thousands of pounds.
John Baird, unit manager at Perth Prison, showed BBC Scotland a six-rotor drone recently intercepted by staff. Attached underneath was a haul including:
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Smart phones (including iPhones worth up to £5,000 inside prison walls)
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Syringes and needles
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Bags of pills and cannabis stuffed into tennis balls
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Electronic dongles providing WiFi access
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SIM cards and chip cards used for illicit communication devices
Baird said the drone represented “public enemy number one” in the fight against contraband. The items recovered are the “wish list” for inmates, fueling the drugs economy and facilitating dangerous communications inside.
New Security Measures Show Early Success
Six months ago, Perth Prison introduced secure metal grilles on all vulnerable windows, physically blocking drones from dropping their illicit payloads.
The impact has been immediate and clear. Since installation, no drones have successfully breached the perimeter at Perth.
Ian Whitehead, head of operations at the SPS, emphasised the importance of the move:
“Drugs and the need for drugs drive debt, violence and a whole range of behaviours that are difficult to deal with. This measure is designed to minimise the introduction and movement of drugs in any meaningful way.”
He added the SPS is actively monitoring the situation to adapt quickly if smugglers find new tactics.
Geography Makes Perth Particularly Vulnerable
Perth’s semi-rural setting, with clear lines of sight and relatively unobstructed radio signals, has made it an attractive target for drone pilots.
Without the protective grilles, windows at Perth were easy drop-off points for drone deliveries.
Mr Whitehead explained:
“Some drones can carry quite large cargoes. Instead of something coming in a tennis ball, you introduce something that’s ten times that. So you’ve got a big cargo of commodity to come in and that can last a long time.”
This vulnerability is being addressed as the SPS has also installed grilles at Edinburgh and Glenochil prisons and is considering a wider rollout across the estate.
Changing Drug Trends Behind Bars
Whitehead, with 36 years of experience, noted how drug use patterns have shifted inside prisons:
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From cannabis and heroin in past decades
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To psychoactive substances and other synthetic drugs today
These changes complicate efforts to control drugs, making the smuggling issue even more urgent.
The Persistent Challenge of Communication Devices
Phones—especially smartphones—remain prized contraband due to their ability to connect inmates with the outside world, often facilitating criminal activity and violence within the prison.
Some phones are cleverly concealed internally by inmates. One harrowing example is of a prisoner swallowing a phone in front of staff.
The presence of dongles and chip cards—which can turn gaming consoles like Xboxes into communication devices—adds layers of complexity for prison security.
Looking Ahead: A Strategy of Adaptation
The SPS acknowledges the arms race against smugglers will continue, requiring constant adaptation.
Plans include:
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Rolling out grilles and other physical barriers to other prisons
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Developing tailored countermeasures for each prison based on geography and risks
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Ongoing monitoring and engineering responses to new drone technology
Whitehead expressed cautious optimism:
“We’ve got high hopes for this and we’ve got a monitoring process, so if there’s a weakness, we can adapt to that and engineer a counter-measure.”
