Prison plans to combat drone drug deliveries

The prison said it was building new accommodation to block drone deliveries

A prison has said it will take measures to stop drug smuggling using drones.

The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, said levels of violence at HMP Onley, located in Northamptonshire close to the Warwickshire border. had also increased significantly.

He pointed to weaknesses in physical security, including windows that were easily breached, which failed to defend the prison population from organised gang activity.

A prison spokesperson said it was tackling the use of illicit substances by investing in preventative drone measures.

Inspectors found about a third of random drug tests carried out over a 12-month period were positive, reportedly among the highest in category C prisons.

Drones were increasingly being used to smuggle in contraband, with 57% of respondents to a survey saying it was easy to get drugs at the jail, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report also marked an increase in violence. The inspector said it was "concerning" that 31% of respondents said that they currently felt unsafe.

It was noted that cases of violence were mostly linked to the illicit economy and prisoner frustrations about being able to get things done.

The latest inspection, which took place over two weeks in May this year, noted that although better staffed since the previous inspection in 2022, many officers lacked experience and could not resolve day-to-day requests.

Inspectors also found some unnecessary pettiness that irked prisoners, such as the rule that they were only allowed two rolls of toilet paper a week.

Inspectors visited the prison in May

Another major concern raised by Mr Taylor was the lack of activity places and allocations to work and education.

Inspectors found one example of notable positive practice during their visit, which related to the creation of a team of trusted, trained prisoners who were able to offer support to neurodivergent prisoners throughout the jail.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "This government inherited a prison system in crisis and we fully acknowledge the challenges at HMP Onley.

"We are tackling the use of illicit substances through initiatives such as a new Incentivised Living wing, where prisoners are regularly drug tested and receive incentives for abstaining from drugs.

"On top of this, we are investing in preventative drone measures and building new accommodation which prevents drone parcels getting in."

They also confirmed that there has been a focus on upskilling and supporting prison officers so they could deliver a safe regime and increasing management supervision and mentoring for new staff.