The Quebec government is implementing new strategies to prevent contraband from entering its correctional facilities. Among these measures is a 12-month trial program that will mandate inmates at the Roberval Detention Centre, located 350 kilometers northeast of Montreal, to wear standardized uniforms starting in September.
According to the Public Security Ministry, the decision to require uniforms aims to streamline search procedures, differentiate inmates from staff and visitors, and eliminate indications of affiliation with criminal groups that could incite violence. Currently, detainees in Quebec’s detention centers wear their own clothes, which has led to issues such as smuggling illicit 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 clothing for illegal activities. Some methods include saturating clothes with illicit substances to bypass detection. The initiative to introduce uniforms is part of broader security enhancements in Quebec’s detention facilities, supported by a $35 million government investment in 2023.
The prescribed uniform will comprise basic, comfortable attire like cotton-polyester T-shirts, long-sleeved sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, shoes, socks, and underwear. The Roberval facility was selected for the pilot due to its sewing workshop enabling inmates to make their own pants. Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière emphasized that this initiative promotes social reintegration through employment.
Additionally, the government is enhancing disciplinary measures with amendments to the Règlement d’application de la Loi sur le système correctionnel du Québec, effective from September 28. These changes will empower detention center staff to report misconduct related to prohibited substances and drone-delivered items. Mailloux underscored the persistent challenge of drones, noting 1,521 drone sightings at Quebec detention centers between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, with 234 sightings from April to June this year.
The modifications will enable disciplinary committees to impose stricter penalties for severe infractions like cellphone smuggling or infrastructure damage. Sanctions may include community service, canteen purchase suspension, or extended isolation periods, prioritizing inmates’ physical and mental well-being. The government plans to evaluate the pilot project’s outcomes before deciding on the broader implementation of inmate uniforms across Quebec.