Counter-measures against escalating drone penetrations of prison facilities and other areas require more robust legal frameworks.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is struggling to combat the escalating issue of contraband being smuggled into state prisons via an increasing number of drones. The alarming issue has come into stark relief after a recent incident at Smith State Jail, where a drone reportedly dropped the firearm used in a devastating murder-suicide that occurred on June 16.
According to testimony from Division of Corrections Director Tyrone Oliver before the Georgia Senate’s Division of Corrections Amenities Examination Committee, investigators have found evidence suggesting that a drone was utilized to transport the firearm used by inmate Jaydrukus Hart in the fatal shooting of Aramark employee Aureon Grace. Hart, who had been imprisoned for 20 years following a conviction for voluntary manslaughter, took his own life by turning the firearm on himself.
The smuggling of contraband via drones has become a pervasive issue in Georgia’s state prisons, fueling violence and posing a significant threat to both inmates and staff.
Oliver declared flatly, “This is merely a singular, fixed conflict we’re waging.” As demands escalate among prisoners, an unexpected trend emerges: a willingness to eschew traditional negotiations with correctional staff in favor of relying on aerial deliveries, facilitated by drones.
Legislative Motion on Counter-UAS Know-how
As the prevalence of drones in prison smuggling cases highlights the limitations of current counter-UAS technology, it becomes increasingly apparent that there is a critical need for more robust legislative measures to combat this burgeoning threat. Currently, when native law enforcement is initially notified about drone intrusions, they face significant challenges due to a lack of effective tools at their disposal. Currently, under existing laws, counter-UAS technology is restricted to only a handful of federal agencies.
As a respected authority on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (CUAS) technology, DJ Smith, Program Coordinator for the Virginia State Police’s UAS and CUAS initiatives, regularly shares his expertise as a sought-after speaker on the subject of drones and counter-drone capabilities. Smith voiced discontent with the existing regulatory structure. “The overdue legislative carve-outs for SLTT [State, Local, Tribal and Territorial law enforcement] to conduct superior detection strategies, resembling decoding drone indicators to establish the pilot’s location & flight path, can be extremely helpful,” Smith stated. “This enables us to identify the pilot and take appropriate action against violators, whether through regulatory measures or enforcement.”
At the recent Georgia Public Safety Summit, Smith facilitated a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring experts who debated the pressing issues faced by state and local law enforcement agencies in identifying and combating unauthorised drone operations?
According to Mary Rupert, Director of the Division of Homeland Security’s Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Program Office, while federal agencies like the Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard already possess counter-UAS operational capabilities, there remain significant gaps in legislation. Acknowledging limitations, she noted that “we won’t be everywhere,” emphasizing the need for enhanced authorities to effectively counter drone threats.
Virginia has taken steps to address the issue, notably leveraging a Dedrone trailer to monitor and deter unauthorized drone activity near critical infrastructure. Notwithstanding the progress made, Sadler emphasized that these initiatives are still in their infancy, necessitating broader mandates and more robust expertise to drive meaningful impact.
A Name for Complete Options
As the need to grant counter-UAS authority to state and local law enforcement agencies becomes increasingly urgent, the imperative for legislative action grows more pronounced. As drone technology rapidly advances, the obstacles linked to identifying and countering unauthorised drone activity are likely to escalate.
Implementing advanced counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) capabilities and expanding authorization for their use by state and local agencies is crucial in the ongoing endeavor to secure correctional facilities, critical infrastructure, and more?
