Correctional Service Canada

Correctional Service Canada talks security practices after contraband seizure at Cowansville Institution

Image: Flickr/Jobs for Felons Hub. Creative Commons - Attribution license.

By Taylor McClure
Townships’ Daily News Bits
CIDI 99.1 FM
Published on 24/04/24 - Played on 24/04/24

Contraband and unauthorized items were seized at the Cowansville Institution following the intervention of staff after a routine patrol around the perimeter of the medium security federal facility on April 11.

According to Mistrale Meilleur, Director of Security Operations for Correctional Service Canada (CSC), a “sizeable” amount of hashish, marijuana, and tobacco was found in a package left close to a fence. Officials proceeded with seizing the contraband before it entered the Cowansville Institution.

Meilleur gave CIDI more details about the seizure and the types of security practices and tools that CSC implements to avoid the introduction of contraband into its institutions.

To avoid the entry of contraband, CSC takes a “multi-layered” approach that combines the use of different detection methods, such as the piloting of drone detection technologies and cellphone detection technologies, and the hard work of staff, noted Meilleur.

Listen to the full interview below: