The Quebec government will implement new strategies to prevent contraband from entering its detention centers. One of these initiatives is a 12-month trial program starting in September at the Roberval Detention Centre, located 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, where inmates will be required to wear uniforms.
According to the Public Security Ministry, this measure aims to streamline the search process, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate any indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence. Currently, individuals in Quebec detention facilities wear their own clothes, leading to issues such as smuggling illicit items like drugs hidden in clothing seams or shoes.
Isabelle Mailloux, director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted the challenges posed by inmates using their clothing for smuggling. She mentioned that some methods involve saturating clothes with illicit substances to bring them in, showcasing a range of creative tactics employed by incarcerated individuals.
As part of broader security enhancements in Quebec’s detention centers, the government will invest $35 million in 2023. The proposed uniform will include basic and comfortable attire like cotton-polyester T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The Roberval facility was chosen for the trial due to its sewing workshop where inmates can produce their pants.
Quebec’s Minister of Domestic Security, Ian Lafrenière, stated that the initiative promotes social reintegration through employment. Notably, nine provinces, one territory, and Correctional Service Canada already mandate inmate uniforms, and the decision to extend this requirement to all Quebec facilities will depend on the pilot project’s outcomes.
Additionally, the government will introduce stricter disciplinary measures effective September 28 through amendments to the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec. These changes will empower staff to report misconduct related to prohibited items, including those delivered by drones, a persistent challenge that Quebec has been combating.
Statistics from Quebec’s correctional services network reveal a significant drone presence around detention centers, with 1,521 sightings between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Mailloux emphasized the global nature of this issue, asserting that as technology advances, so do the strategies employed by incarcerated individuals.
The updated disciplinary procedures will enable committees to impose harsher penalties for serious infractions, such as smuggling cellphones or causing damage. These sanctions may involve community service, restrictions on canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, considering the well-being of inmates.
The government underscores the importance of balancing physical and mental health when implementing the proposed sanctions, aiming to improve security and order within Quebec’s correctional facilities.
