The Quebec government has announced new measures to prevent contraband from entering its detention facilities. One initiative is a 12-month pilot project set to commence in September at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, where inmates will be required to wear uniforms.
The decision to implement uniforms aims to streamline the search process, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate any indications of ties to criminal organizations, which could potentially incite violence. Currently, detainees in Quebec detention centers wear their personal clothing, a practice that has led to issues such as the smuggling of illegal items like drugs concealed in clothing seams or shoes.
Isabelle Mailloux, the director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted the challenges posed by inmates using their clothes for illicit activities. She mentioned that creative methods, such as soaking clothes in illegal substances, have been employed by incarcerated individuals to smuggle contraband.
This pilot project forms part of a broader strategy to enhance security within Quebec’s detention facilities, with the government having allocated $35 million in 2023 for this purpose. The proposed uniform will comprise basic and comfortable attire like cotton-polyester T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The selection of the Roberval facility for the pilot is attributed to its sewing workshop, where inmates can manufacture their pants.
According to Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière, the initiative is geared towards promoting social reintegration through employment. The government noted that nine provinces, one territory, and Correctional Service Canada already mandate inmate uniforms, with plans to extend this requirement across Quebec pending the results of the pilot project.
In addition to the uniform policy, the government is enhancing disciplinary measures by amending the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec. Effective September 28, these amendments will empower staff at Quebec’s detention centers to report misconduct in a wider range of situations, including the delivery of prohibited items via drones.
Drones have been a significant challenge, with 1,521 drone sightings reported at Quebec’s detention centers between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Mailloux emphasized the evolving nature of tactics used by incarcerated individuals globally, driven by advancements in technology.
The revised disciplinary system will enable disciplinary committees to impose harsher penalties for severe misconduct, such as smuggling cellphones or causing damage to infrastructure. These sanctions may involve community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, taking into consideration the physical and psychological well-being of inmates.
