The Quebec government is implementing fresh strategies to prevent contraband from infiltrating its correctional facilities. A 12-month trial initiative will mandate inmates at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, to wear standardized attire starting in September.
The Public Security Ministry highlighted that the uniform requirement aims to streamline searches, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and diminish indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence. Presently, detainees in Quebec detention centers wear their personal clothing, a practice that has caused issues as inmates have exploited their garments to smuggle illicit substances like drugs.
Isabelle Mailloux, the director of Montreal’s Correctional Network, emphasized the challenges posed by inmates hiding drugs in clothing seams or shoes, sometimes using inventive methods like soaking clothes in illicit substances. As part of a broader security enhancement drive, Quebec has allocated $35 million in 2023 towards its detention facilities.
The planned uniform will comprise basic and comfortable clothing such as cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweat shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The Roberval facility was selected for the pilot due to its sewing workshop where inmates can craft their pants, promoting “social reintegration through employment,” according to Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière.
Additionally, the government will introduce stricter disciplinary measures by amending the regulations governing Quebec’s correctional system, effective September 28. These amendments will empower staff to report misconduct in a wider array of scenarios, including instances involving prohibited items delivered by drones, which Mailloux described as a persistent challenge.
Statistics 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 from April to June of the current year. The evolving threat of drones necessitates proactive measures to combat their misuse by incarcerated individuals.
In light of these challenges, disciplinary committees will have the authority to mete out harsher penalties for grave infractions like cellphone smuggling or property damage, potentially including community service, canteen suspensions, or extended isolation periods. The government assures that the proposed sanctions will prioritize the well-being of inmates, both physically and mentally.
The decision on implementing inmate uniforms statewide in Quebec will be contingent on the outcomes of the pilot project, aligning with the practices already in place in nine other provinces, one territory, and Correctional Service Canada.
