New N.C. Law Targets Drone Deliveries To Inmates

There's a new law on North Carolina's books designed to keep contraband from getting to prisoners.

For years, the state has barred visitors from bringing items such as weapons, drugs and alcohol to inmates during prison visits. The law is a nod to technological advances that provide a new way of smuggling in those items.

Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a law barring anyone but law enforcement officials from flying drones near prisons or jails.

Drones have crashed within the walls of state prisons twice - but authorities retrieved the prohibited items before they got to their intended inmates.

Using a drone to deliver contraband can result in a felony. Flying a drone near a penitentiary even without contraband is now a misdemeanor.

South Carolina correctional leaders say they know of five cases in which drones have been used for illicit deliveries. In June, an inmate used tools dropped by a drone to escape from a prison near Charleston.

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