HMP Oakwood: Prison facing 'increased' drone threat

A report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has stated the problem remains an ‘ongoing issue’ at HMP Oakwood, in Featherstone.

However despite the growing threat the IMB declared G4S, which runs the prison, were managing the problem well.

The jail is bringing in military grade radar in a bid to combat the threat on a six-month trial

The watchdog reported that in October last year a drone was used to fly in a ‘large quantity’ of Mamba, also known as Spice, months after the same body had flagged the cannabis-like drugs formerly known as legal highs, as a ‘priority concern’.

The board’s 2016/17 annual review said: “The increased and ongoing threat of illegal items such as drugs and mobile phones entering the prison using drones, throw overs and passes during visits is managed very well with a good detection rate.”

It adds: “There is an ongoing issue in relation to the use of drones around the prison but the IMB are of the view that the security department, together with the police and two other HMP establishments adjacent to Oakwood (Featherstone and Brinsford), are proactive in dealing with this issue as far as they are able.”

In May 2016 - during the review period - six inmates were taken to hospital suffering from the ill effects of legal highs brought in by a drone.

G4S confirmed they were to trial a radar system, developed by a defence company, to detect small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from 1 kilometre away.

The IMB said there was a ‘high level’ of activity around the bringing of drugs into prison but they added ‘every effort’ was being made to tackle the issue.

Director of HM Prison Oakwood, John McLaughlin, said: “While the report sets out the challenges we have faced over the past year, I am encouraged the monitors find that our approach to engaging with prisoners and helping them to lead projects which will improve their prospects on release has been successful.

"Like prisons across the country, we have seen an increase in criminals targeting the establishment with drugs and mobile phones.

"We have good links with Staffordshire Police and routinely refer illegal activity to them in order to help us tackle those who undermine the safety of our regime.”