Georgia bill targets drones over prisons and jails
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
A new Georgia bill would make it illegal to fly drones or other unmanned aircraft over state prisons and jails — responding to contraband deliveries that prison officials say largely can't be stopped under federal rules.
Why it matters: Georgia prisons and local jails are under-maintained and short-staffed, and drone deliveries of weapons, drugs and other contraband contribute to unsafe conditions in their facilities, prison officials say.
Driving the news: A state House of Representatives committee voted to advance legislation that would prohibit flying drones within 400 feet of any state or local correctional facility or detention center.
- Sponsored by state Rep. Todd Jones (R-Forsyth), the bill would also require prisons and other facilities to post signage about the flight restrictions. Violations would be misdemeanors.
- Drones "may be seized, taken, and removed, or caused to be removed and destroyed or disposed of at the expense of the owner," Jones' bill states.
How it works: Drone operators working in concert with people inside drop deliveries on the roofs of prisons and jails. Inmates access the roof through utility pipes, collect the items and sneak back to their cell blocks.
- Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver told state lawmakers in December that prison staff have confiscated drones that can lift up to 225 pounds.
Zoom in: Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat told Axios that drones are a "pervasive" problem and are responsible for roughly 60% of the contraband coming into the troubled jail.
- The drones are disruptive to jail operations and divert staff's attention, Labat said. Intercepted items include everything from chicken sandwiches and candy to sacks of marijuana and cigarettes.
Yes, but: The Federal Aviation Administration has primary authority over U.S. airspace and has even banned drone flights near federal prisons.