The Quebec government is implementing new strategies to prevent contraband from infiltrating its correctional facilities. As part of this effort, a 12-month trial program will be initiated at the Roberval Detention Centre, situated 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, requiring inmates to wear standardized uniforms starting in September.
The decision to enforce uniforms aims to streamline security checks, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate any indications of ties to criminal groups that could incite violence, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry. Presently, detainees in Quebec facilities wear their personal clothing, a practice that has resulted in challenges, including the smuggling of illegal items like drugs concealed within clothing seams or shoes.
Isabelle Mailloux, director of the Réseau correctionnel de Montréal, highlighted the problematic nature of inmates using their attire for illicit purposes, such as soaking clothes in illegal substances to bypass security measures. This initiative is part of broader security enhancement efforts in Quebec’s detention centers, with the government allocating $35 million in 2023 towards this goal.
The proposed uniform will comprise basic and comfortable attire like cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and undergarments. The Roberval facility was selected for the pilot due to its sewing workshop where inmates can manufacture their pants, promoting social reintegration through employment, as expressed by Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière.
In addition to the uniform mandate, the government is enhancing disciplinary procedures by expanding the scope of misconduct reports that staff at detention centers can file, including incidents related to prohibited substances and items delivered via drones. The persistent issue of drone activity around detention centers is a major concern, with 1,521 drone sightings reported in Quebec between April 2025 and March 2026, and an additional 234 sightings from April to June of the current year.
The revised disciplinary regulations, effective from Sept. 28, will enable disciplinary committees to impose stricter penalties for serious offenses, such as smuggling in contraband like cellphones or causing damage to prison infrastructure. Sanctions may include community service, suspension of canteen privileges, or extended periods of isolation, with a focus on considering the inmates’ physical and mental well-being during the process.
The government plans to assess the outcomes of the pilot project at Roberval to determine the feasibility of implementing standardized uniforms across all Quebec detention facilities in the future.