They can smuggle drugs and weapons, scout the situation or simply take unauthorized videos and photos: drones become a security risk in the immediate vicinity of prisons. The country is trying to combat this with various means.

Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - It sounds like Hollywood: objects are repeatedly smuggled into prisons in the southwest with drones. The Ministry of Justice recorded four such cases in the current year, as the German Press Agency in Stuttgart found out when asked. The topic will continue to be taken very seriously, said Justice Minister Marion Gentges (CDU) in the house. Since 2015, the number of incidents has fluctuated between 2 and 15. Statements on an unreported number have so far been hardly possible.

The country now wants to use various means to put a stop to the drone smugglers and is arming the correctional facilities against smuggling and spying. A detection system was tested this year, but still needs to be improved, the ministry said. Net throwers would also be needed to capture the discovered drones - a so-called long-term test is to take place next year. Baden-Württemberg is also in contact with other federal states in the fight against drones.

In addition, the windows of the prison cells are to be retrofitted in such a way that it is no longer possible to hand over objects, according to the ministry. Most recently, the Heimsheim correctional facility had been secured accordingly. In addition, in cooperation with the market leader among the drone manufacturers with geo-data, so-called "no-fly zones" have been set up over the prisons in the country, so that drones from this manufacturer and with this software can no longer fly into the blocked airspace. So far, however, "geo-fencing" has been limited to one manufacturer.