The Quebec government is set to implement new strategies to prevent contraband from infiltrating its correctional facilities. A 12-month trial initiative is scheduled to commence in September at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, mandating inmates to wear standardized attire. This move aims to streamline the inspection process, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eradicate any indications of ties to criminal groups, which could potentially incite violence, as outlined in a news release by the Public Security Ministry.
Currently, individuals detained in Quebec correctional facilities are allowed to wear their personal clothing, a practice that has led to challenges in recent years, according to Isabelle Mailloux, the director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal. Mailloux highlighted issues where inmates have exploited their clothing to smuggle illicit substances such as drugs, often concealing them within clothing seams or footwear, with some resorting to more covert methods like saturating clothes with illegal substances.
The upcoming pilot project forms part of a broader security enhancement effort within Quebec’s detention centers, which received a $35 million government investment in 2023. The proposed uniform is designed to be basic and comfortable, comprising cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and undergarments. The Roberval facility was selected for the trial due to its existing sewing workshop, allowing inmates to craft their own pants.
Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière emphasized that the initiative promotes “social reintegration through employment.” While nine other provinces, a territory, and Correctional Service Canada already enforce inmate uniform policies, the decision to implement uniforms across Quebec will hinge on the outcomes of the pilot project.
Moreover, alongside the uniform mandate, the government is enhancing disciplinary measures by amending the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec, effective from September 28. These amendments will empower staff at Quebec’s detention centers to report misconduct across a wider spectrum of scenarios, including incidents involving banned substances and items delivered via drones.
Mailloux underscored the persistent challenge posed by drones, labeling them as a “scourge” that authorities have been combatting in recent years. Data from Quebec’s correctional services network revealed a significant drone presence at detention centers, with 1,521 sightings recorded between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, and an additional 234 sightings reported from April to June of the current year.
The revised disciplinary framework will enable disciplinary committees to impose harsher penalties for severe infractions, such as smuggling mobile phones or causing damage to infrastructure. These penalties could encompass community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, with a focus on safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of inmates.