Belgium Tests Automated Drones For Prison Security

The Belgian Ministry of Justice has announced that it is testing autonomous drones arsenic a measurement to fortify penal institutions astatine nan caller Haren Prison successful Brussels, according to nan Belga News Agency.

The exertion will besides beryllium tested astatine Antwerp prison. Alongside nan drone project, nan Justice Ministry is seeking to lease 10 passive radio-frequency discovery systems to spot illicit drones flying adjacent prisons.  According to tender documents seen by Le Soir, nan Justice Ministry wants to deploy “drone-in-a-box” systems. These unmanned aerial devices are tin of taking disconnected and landing independently from a fixed location, carrying retired regular aerial surveillance astir situation facilities.

The request for enhanced information is clear. Haren prison, opened successful 2022, has faced regular attempts to smuggle narcotics and phones via drones aliases thrown parcels. Brussels Mayor Philippe Close precocious warned that nan business was spiralling retired of control, though Prison Director Jürgen Van Poecke insisted that regular inspections were being carried out.

The first one-year statement requires drones to execute respective regular missions, including 4 perimeter checks, 3 gait inspections, and 2 sweeps of unit car parks. Officials opportunity nan purpose is to observe suspicious behaviour quickly done regular, responsive patrols. The situation officials declined to stock operational details, citing information concerns. A spokesperson confirmed nan task aligns pinch Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden’s argumentation scheme to amended perimeter surveillance.

Unions person cautiously welcomed nan move. Grégory Wallez of nan General Union of Public Services (CGSP) said immoderate measurement that “reassures staff” is positive, provided it lasts beyond a short trial. Ruben Van Lancker of nan ACV-CSC national added that training situation officers to run drones could beryllium seen arsenic a valuable skill. However, he raised questions astir who would presume nan caller responsibilities.