The Quebec government is set to implement fresh strategies to deter contraband from infiltrating its correctional facilities. Among these measures is a 12-month trial initiative that mandates prisoners at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, to don uniforms starting in September.
By requiring inmates to wear standardized clothing, the search process will be streamlined, enabling easy differentiation between inmates, staff, and visitors. This move aims to eliminate any visible ties to criminal organizations, ultimately reducing the potential for violence within the facility, as outlined in a Public Security Ministry press release on Thursday.
Currently, detainees in Quebec’s correctional centers wear their personal attire, a practice that has led to challenges in recent years. Isabelle Mailloux, the director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted issues with inmates using their clothing to smuggle illicit substances like drugs. These substances are often concealed in clothing seams or shoes, with more creative methods occasionally employed, such as soaking clothes in illegal substances for smuggling.
The introduction of uniforms is part of a broader security enhancement initiative in Quebec’s detention facilities, backed by a $35 million government investment in 2023. The uniform ensemble will comprise basic, comfortable items like cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The selection of the Roberval facility for the pilot project is due to its sewing workshop, where inmates will be involved in making their pants.
Minister of Domestic Security Ian Lafrenière emphasized the initiative’s focus on promoting “social reintegration through employment” in the news release. While nine provinces, one territory, and Correctional Service Canada already mandate inmate uniforms, the decision to implement this across Quebec will hinge on the pilot project’s outcomes.
In addition to uniform enforcement, the government is enhancing disciplinary measures with amendments to the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec, effective from September 28. These amendments broaden the scope for staff at Quebec’s detention centers to report misconduct, including incidents involving banned substances and drone deliveries.
Mailloux described drones as a persistent issue that authorities have been combatting for years. Data from Quebec’s correctional services network revealed 1,521 drone sightings at detention centers between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, with 234 sightings reported from April to June this year. The evolving technology landscape necessitates an adaptive response to the tactics employed by incarcerated individuals globally.
The revised disciplinary system allows disciplinary committees to impose stricter penalties for serious infractions like cellphone smuggling or property damage. Potential sanctions may involve community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, with a focus on considering the inmates’ physical and mental well-being.
The proposed changes aim to bolster security measures and foster a safer environment within Quebec’s detention facilities, with ongoing evaluations to refine and enhance these initiatives based on their impact.
