The Quebec government is implementing fresh strategies to prevent contraband from infiltrating its detention centers. One such measure is the launch of a 12-month trial initiative at the Roberval Detention Centre, located 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, where inmates will be mandated to wear uniforms starting in September.
According to the Public Security Ministry, the decision to require uniforms aims to streamline searches, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate any indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence. Presently, detainees in Quebec’s detention facilities dress in their personal clothing, a practice that has posed challenges as inmates have utilized their attire to smuggle illicit substances, such as drugs.
Isabelle Mailloux, the director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted incidents where drugs were concealed in clothing seams or shoes, with more sophisticated methods like soaking garments in illegal substances also being employed. The pilot project is part of broader security enhancement efforts in Quebec’s detention centers, which received a $35 million government investment in 2023.
The prescribed uniform will comprise basic yet comfortable attire like cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The selection of the Roberval facility for the trial is attributed to its sewing workshop, enabling inmates to manufacture their own pants. Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière underscored the initiative’s goal of fostering social reintegration through employment.
Furthermore, the government is set to introduce stricter disciplinary measures, including amendments to the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec effective from Sept. 28. These changes will empower detention center staff to report misconduct in a broader range of circumstances, encompassing the delivery of prohibited items by drones.
Mailloux emphasized the adverse impact of drones, labeling them as a persistent issue that authorities have been combatting for years. Data from Quebec’s correctional services network revealed a significant number of drone sightings at provincial detention centers, with 1,521 incidents recorded between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The heightened use of drones reflects evolving strategies among incarcerated individuals globally as technology advances.
The revised disciplinary system will allow committees to mete out harsher penalties for serious infractions like smuggling cellphones or causing damage to facilities. Potential sanctions may involve community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, all while considering the well-being of inmates both physically and mentally. The government plans to evaluate the outcomes of the pilot project before determining the broader implementation of inmate uniforms across Quebec.