The Quebec government is set to implement fresh strategies to prevent smuggled items from infiltrating its correctional facilities. A 12-month trial initiative, starting in September, will mandate inmates at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, to don uniforms. The move aims to streamline searches, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence, as explained by the Public Security Ministry in a recent announcement.
Currently, detainees in Quebec’s correctional centers wear their personal attire. Isabelle Mailloux, the director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted issues arising from this practice in recent years, citing instances where inmates exploited their clothing to smuggle illicit substances such as drugs. Mailloux described various methods employed, including concealing drugs in clothing seams or shoes, and even soaking clothes in illicit substances for smuggling attempts.
The upcoming pilot forms part of broader security enhancements in Quebec’s detention facilities, backed by a $35 million government investment in 2023. The proposed uniform will comprise basic, comfortable garments like cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweat shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The selection of the Roberval facility for the trial was based on its sewing workshop where inmates can craft their pants, aligning with Quebec’s aim of promoting social reintegration through employment, according to Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce stricter disciplinary protocols. Amendments to the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec, effective from Sept. 28, will empower detention center staff to report misconduct in a wider range of scenarios, encompassing items delivered by drones. The issue of drones, labeled as a “scourge” by Mailloux, has been a persistent concern, with data revealing numerous drone sightings at Quebec detention centers in recent years.
The revised disciplinary system will enable committees to mete out harsher penalties for serious infractions, such as cellphone smuggling or infrastructure damage, with sanctions potentially including community service, canteen purchase suspensions, or extended isolation periods. Importantly, these new measures are designed to consider the physical and mental well-being of inmates. The government intends to evaluate the outcomes of the pilot project before making a decision on the broader implementation of inmate uniforms across Quebec.