This story was originally published by the Nashville Banner. Sign up for their newsletter at nashvillebanner.com/newsletters.
The Tennessee Department of Correction is seeking funding for “drone detection technology” that officials say is necessary to stop people from airdropping drugs, weapons and other contraband into the state’s prisons.
Department Commissioner Frank Strada discussed the $1.7 million request during a budget hearing at the Senate State and Local Committee on Feb. 10.
“I want to be clear, this is not a discretionary enhancement,” he said. “It’s a necessary response to an evolving threat. Drones are now one of the most significant methods for contraband entering our correctional facilities by delivering drugs, weapons and cell phones with precision and speed. Addressing this threat requires (not) only physical technology but also intelligence-driven operations that allow us to detect, deter and disrupt criminal activity before it endangers staff, inmates or the public.”
Keeping contraband out of prisons is notoriously difficult, in part because prison employees are often involved in schemes to smuggle it in. The Nashville Banner has reported on the numerous criminal cases involving staff members at the CoreCivic-operated Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, many of which involved charges of sneaking drugs or cell phones into the prison. A federal indictment unsealed in November detailed an alleged scheme involving an inmate and prison officers distributing cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs inside that facility.