Drones spotted buzzing over prisons are probably trying to drop contraband, a Corrections official says.

There have been 10 reported sightings over or near New Zealand prison sites already this year, says Department of Corrections chief custodial officer Neil Beales.

Ground searches after the sightings have not turned up any contraband but Neil says it's on Corrections' radar and the organisation has geo-fenced sites so remote pilots lose control of their device.

Neil acknowledges that drones are a fairly recent technology advancement which Corrections is dealing with through prevention.

'We don't have the technology to knock things out of the sky and, even if we did, we couldn't anyway for health and safety reasons.”

Figures from Corrections show in both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years there were seven incidents involving drones. In 2019/20 that increased to 21 yet it dropped slightly to 17 when Covid-19 peaked in 2020/21.

Neil says in 2021/22 there were 16 drone incidents, and one since July 1.

Corrections wouldn't divulge which prisons the drones have been seen over, saying it needs to maintain safety and security.

The department works with other government agencies to stay across the latest developments in drone detection.

'We do geofence a lot of our sites, so it doesn't prevent them from flying them over the prisons, but [operators] won't be able to control them.”

Neil acknowledges drone technology development is fast, and the capability is progressing.

'I know there are drones where you can just programme the coordinates and walk away.”

He says the operators are taking a risk when they attempt to use the drones, because they can't be certain the correct person is going to get what they're trying to deliver.

Neil believes the reason for a drone to be over prison property is to drop contraband.

He doesn't think they'd be used for scouting prison grounds, but wouldn't rule it out.

'It's unlikely to be assisting in that area, as they wouldn't be able to access the corridors inside or see internally, but nothing is impossible. It's more likely to be dropping off things and testing how far they can get into the site.”

Stopping contraband getting into prisons has always been a priority for Corrections staff. People have been known to throw things over the fence.

'When I worked in the UK we would find dead birds with drugs packed in them and oranges with razor blades inside.

'We know that people aren't going to stop trying to get things into prisons. But we are aware of it and doing all we can to be on the front foot around it.

'Our staff are always vigilant and prison perimeters are actively monitored.”

It's possible for an average drone to carry between 0.5 and 2kg.

Neil says that criminals are creative and with the advent of drones Corrections has had to step up its game.

'The technology will tell you a drone is nearby, but it won't stop it.”

Drone sightings are referred to police when necessary.

Corrections staff guidelines have recently been updated with a focus on proactively reporting any sightings, minimising the risk of people in prison receiving contraband by drone drop.

Over the past decade, Corrections have also implemented screening measures to stop contraband entering prisons.

That includes extensive prison perimeter security and limited prison entry points.

There is also increased camera surveillance in prison visit rooms, along the perimeter and at entry points, searches of vehicles entering prison property, the use of scanners and x-ray machines at entry points.

Visitors who try to bring contraband into prisons are banned, while inmates wear closed overalls when in visiting areas. Mail is monitored and specialist detector dog teams are also used.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory authority for the use of drones in public areas, including around prisons.

The CAA states that a drone cannot be flown in a public space without consent and/or a safety plan. In addition, if a drone introduced contraband into prison, a person could be prosecuted under section 141 of the Corrections Act 2004.

Meanwhile, drones have been useful behind the wire – with Neil acknowledging the use of them during the Waikeria Riot – allowing Corrections to know what they were dealing with.

Neil doesn't want the public to think Corrections is just allowing drones to fly over, as they are a threat to prisons' security.

'Contraband could be anything and that is probably the scariest thing, is what could get across the border.”

-Stuff/Jo Lines-MacKenzie.