State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Peru) is co-sponsoring legislation to help prevent drugs and cell phones from being smuggled into state prisons by prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles over prisons.
“There are inmates who will do just about anything to sneak drugs or cell phones inside prison walls,” Rezin said. “With the use of drones on the rise, taking this step now sends a strong message that those who plan on flying contraband into our prisons will face serious consequences.”
Senate Bill 2344 adds one year of imprisonment to the sentence of a person convicted of bringing contraband into a prison by drone, in addition to any other penalty handed down by law.
Any person who knowingly and intentionally operates a drone below the navigable airspace above a state prison would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Also, a person who knowingly and intentionally captures images or video of a state prison through the operation of a drone would be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
“This is ultimately about keeping our prisons safe and our communities safe,” Rezin said. “Banning drones around prisons is that extra step we should take to keep things more secure for everyone.”