The Quebec government is implementing fresh strategies to prevent contraband from infiltrating its prisons. As part of this effort, a 12-month trial program will mandate inmates at the Roberval Detention Centre, located 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, to wear standardized uniforms starting in September.
By requiring inmates to wear uniforms, the search process will be streamlined, inmates will be easily distinguished from staff and visitors, and any indications of affiliation with criminal groups that could incite violence will be eliminated. Currently, inmates in Quebec detention facilities wear their own clothing, but this practice has led 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 in recent years. The innovative methods used by inmates, such as soaking clothes in illicit substances, have made it difficult to detect contraband items.
The move to introduce uniforms is part of a broader security enhancement initiative in Quebec’s detention facilities, with the government having invested $35 million in 2023. The uniform will comprise basic and comfortable clothing items like cotton-polyester T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The Roberval facility was selected for the pilot project due to its sewing workshop where inmates can craft their own pants.
Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière emphasized that the initiative aims to promote social reintegration through employment. While nine provinces, one territory, and Correctional Service Canada already mandate inmate uniforms, Quebec will assess the outcomes of the pilot project before deciding on a broader uniform policy.
In addition to the uniform mandate, the government is enhancing disciplinary measures by amending the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec. These amendments, effective from September 28, will enable staff at Quebec’s detention centers to report misconduct in a wider range of situations, including the delivery of prohibited items by drones.
Drones have been a major concern for the government, with 1,521 drone sightings at detention centers in Quebec between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Mailloux stressed that drones pose a significant challenge globally as incarcerated individuals adapt their tactics with advancing technology.
The revised disciplinary system will empower committees to impose stricter penalties for serious infractions like cellphone smuggling or infrastructure damage. These penalties may include community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, all considering the inmates’ physical and mental well-being.
