Securing the Skies: Why Every UK Prison Needs SkyFence
Drones have changed the world, and not always for the better. What began as a tool for photography and recreation has rapidly evolved into one of the biggest security challenges facing modern prisons. The skies above the UK’s prison estate are no longer safe.
Today, the House of Commons issued a powerful recommendation: the Ministry of Justice must urgently install the SkyFence system, across every Category A prison in England and Wales.
The reason is simple — drones are now a critical threat to prison security.
The Growing Drone Threat
Drones are being used by organised criminal networks to deliver drugs, weapons, phones and even tools to prisoners. These small, fast, and easily modified devices can bypass traditional security measures with ease. The new report warns that the risk extends far beyond contraband. Drones could one day be used to assist in escape attempts or even deliver firearms into prison grounds.
The House of Commons has made it clear that the Ministry of Justice must take decisive action as a matter of urgency. High-risk prisons must be given the means to deploy comprehensive anti-drone technology and strengthen their physical security measures to stay ahead of criminal innovation.
A Proven Solution: SkyFence
SkyFence is not a concept or a prototype, it is a proven, operational system that has already transformed prison security. Installed at Guernsey Prison in 2017, SkyFence was the world’s first permanent drone defence system for a custodial environment.
The technology works by creating an invisible shield around the prison. When a drone approaches, SkyFence detects it and activates a series of “disruptors” that block its command and control signals. The drone is then forced into its automatic “return to home” mode, safely flying back to its operator.
The system prevents illegal deliveries before they even reach prison airspace, eliminating the need for risky interceptions or costly manual detection. Since installation, Guernsey Prison has reported a complete halt in drone incursions – a remarkable success story that proves the technology’s effectiveness.
View SkyFence in action.
Read the full case study here.
The Cost of Protection
Rolling out SkyFence across all Category A prisons is around £5 million, with an additional £500,000 per year for ongoing maintenance and subscription. This one-off cost covers the full system: radar, high-definition cameras, RF detection and jammers. Everything needed to detect, track and safely neutralise drones before they reach prison airspace.
In the context of national security, this is a modest investment. Compared with the potential cost of drone-enabled smuggling, contraband delivery or even escape attempts, SkyFence offers a proactive, scalable and cost-effective solution for the entire prison estate.
By comparison, a single serious security breach can result in millions of pounds in operational disruption, not to mention the human risk to staff and inmates.
Why Action Cannot Wait
Drone technology is evolving faster than legislation and policy. Each year brings new models capable of flying longer distances, carrying heavier payloads and evading detection. Without immediate investment in counter-drone systems like SkyFence, the prison network risks falling behind an increasingly sophisticated threat.
The House of Commons report recognises that the time for discussion has passed. The technology exists. It works. And it is already in use within the British Isles. The logical next step is nationwide adoption.
Securing the Future of Prison Safety
SkyFence has proven that prison airspace can be controlled and secured. With its proven record at Guernsey Prison and a clear endorsement from government, the case for rapid rollout could not be stronger.
Drones are here to stay, but with SkyFence, so is control. The technology ensures that the only things entering a prison are authorised, safe and secure.
Now is the time to act. Protecting the skies above our prisons is no longer optional – it is essential.
Find out more about SkyFence
Get in touch with us today – info@dronedefence.co.uk | +44 (0) 843 289 2805
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