The Quebec government has announced new measures aimed at preventing contraband from entering its detention centers. A 12-month pilot project will be implemented at the Roberval Detention Centre, located 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, starting in September. In this project, inmates will be required to wear uniforms to streamline the search process, differentiate them from staff and visitors, and eliminate any affiliations with criminal organizations that could incite violence.
Currently, inmates in Quebec detention centers wear their own clothes, which has led to issues such as smuggling illicit items like drugs hidden in clothing seams or shoes. Isabelle Mailloux, director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted the challenges posed by inmates using their clothing for smuggling purposes. She mentioned that some methods involve soaking clothes in illicit substances to bypass detection, showcasing the creativity employed by incarcerated individuals.
The introduction of uniforms, consisting of basic and comfortable clothing items like cotton-polyester T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear, is part of the government’s broader security enhancement efforts in detention facilities. The pilot will take place at the Roberval facility, chosen for its sewing workshop where inmates can manufacture their pants to be compliant with the uniform requirements.
Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière emphasized that the initiative aims to encourage social reintegration through employment opportunities for inmates. The government’s $35 million investment in 2023 underscores its commitment to enhancing security within detention centers.
Furthermore, the government is implementing stricter disciplinary measures by amending the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec. These amendments will enable staff to report misconduct in a wider range of situations, including the delivery of prohibited substances and items by drones. Mailloux expressed concerns about the increasing use of drones to smuggle items into detention centers, citing statistics showing multiple drone sightings in the province over recent years.
The revised disciplinary system will allow for more severe sanctions for serious offenses such as smuggling cellphones or damaging infrastructure. These sanctions may include community service, restrictions on canteen purchases, or extended periods of isolation, taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of inmates. The government plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot project at the Roberval facility before deciding on the mandatory implementation of inmate uniforms across Quebec.