The Quebec government is implementing fresh strategies to prevent contraband entry into its detention facilities. A 12-month test project will mandate inmates at the Roberval Detention Centre, located 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, to wear uniforms starting in September.
According to the Public Security Ministry, this move aims to streamline searches, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate any indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence. Currently, detainees in Quebec wear their personal clothing, but Isabelle Mailloux, director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted issues where inmates have exploited their garments to smuggle illicit substances like drugs.
Mailloux emphasized the need for enhanced security, especially as drugs are often concealed in clothing seams or shoes, with some instances involving soaking apparel in illegal substances to bypass detection. The pilot initiative aligns with broader efforts to fortify security in Quebec’s detention facilities, supported by a $35 million government investment in 2023.
The prescribed uniform will comprise basic, comfortable attire such as cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and undergarments. The selection of the Roberval facility for the pilot is strategic due to its sewing workshop where inmates can manufacture their pants, promoting “social reintegration through employment,” as stated by Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière.
Moreover, Quebec is enhancing disciplinary measures by broadening the scope of misconduct reports that staff at detention centers can file, effective from Sept. 28. These amendments encompass instances of prohibited substances and items delivered by drones, a persistent challenge that the government has been combatting. Data from Quebec’s correctional services network revealed numerous drone sightings at detention centers, underscoring the need for stringent regulations.
The revised disciplinary system will empower committees to impose harsher penalties for grave misconduct, such as smuggling contraband or causing infrastructural damage. Sanctions may involve community service, canteen purchase suspensions, or extended periods of isolation, prioritizing inmate well-being. The government’s decision on mandating uniform wear across all Quebec facilities will hinge on the outcomes of the pilot project.