A former Staffordshire detective received a suspended sentence after admitting money laundering connected to a gang that flew drugs and blades into jails by drone. Three men in the group were jailed.
A £35 million package will fund heavy-duty window grilles across prisons in England and Wales, with 17 jails at high risk of drone deliveries first in line.
Charlie Taylor says organised crime group members who run drug supply inside jails should be separated from other prisoners, as people who radicalise others already are.
Guidance for inventors entering a Ministry of Justice competition to stop drones delivering contraband to prisons leaves room for non-firearm projectile launchers and low-power lasers.
Metal grilles designed to stop drones delivering drugs to HMP Manchester still await planning consent, because of concerns about their effect on the Grade II listed building.
Tom Wheatley says farm drones able to carry 100kg already exist, while the Chief Inspector of Prisons says ministers have reacted too slowly to the drone threat.
In May 2024 the Chief Inspector of Prisons used the Urgent Notification process at HMP Wandsworth, citing weak security after a high-profile escape, rising self-harm, widespread drugs and men locked up for over 22 hours a day.
