AirMatrix, A digital infrastructure provider for civil governments globally, has announced that The Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) is deploying Libra at its Homestead Correctional Institution.
Libra enables governments and critical infrastructure managers to be effective stakeholders within their airspace, accelerating compliance through accurate digital infrastructure for lawful pilots to leverage enhanced data while allowing authorities to secure their airspace from drone-based threats, which have been increasing over the past few years. It also enables civil government to turn on a revenue generating asset as it pertains to all drones taking off and landing within it’s jurisdiction.
Correctional facilities nationwide, both within the United States and internationally, are actively seeking effective measures to counter the escalating prevalence of unauthorized drone flights used for contraband smuggling into prison premises. The unauthorized deployment of drones poses substantial security challenges, as it opens avenues for the illicit introduction of contraband such as drugs, weapons, and cell phones into prison environments. Moreover, these aerial vehicles have been employed for covert surveillance of prison facilities, presenting a serious threat by potentially facilitating the planning of escape attempts or other criminal activities that compromise the safety of both staff and inmates. The imperative to address this issue professionally and comprehensively is paramount in safeguarding the integrity and security of correctional institutions.
According to data sourced from the US Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice, there has been a notable annual increase of 50% in drone-facilitated deliveries of contraband to correctional facilities. Additionally, a single drone group has been implicated in 49 illicit operations, resulting in the confiscation of contraband with an estimated value of $1.34 million.
These unauthorized drone activities pose a significant safety hazard to inmates, correctional staff, and guards, prompting authorities to seek innovative solutions to curtail such incidents and uphold the security and sanctity of correctional premises. Libra, AirMatrix’s flagship command and control platform, seamlessly integrates with Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technology, enabling comprehensive data collection and visualization. This synergy empowers Libra to effectively mitigate the threat posed by unauthorized drone operations within correctional facilities.
Once an unauthorized drone has been detected, Libra’s mitigate function allows users to identify the object and alert authorities to the drone pilot’s location, as well as employ technology to jam the signal or shoot down the drone.
According to AirMatrix Founder and CEO Bashir Khan, the agreement with the FDOC is momentous, as it heralds a major innovation in terms of prison security, opening pathways for more government agencies to deploy smart digital infrastructure that enhances civilian life, keeping people safe.
“The Florida Department of Corrections is the third largest state corrections department in the US, and we’re proud to be deployed,” Khan says.
Libra stands as an unequivocal game-changer, fortifying prisons with a level of security and safety that was previously impossible, while at the same time streamlining and enhancing the safety of guards and inmates alike. Its implementation will forever elevate the overall security infrastructure of correctional facilities, ensuring a transformative impact on both inmate well-being and the efficiency of prison staff.
“By helping FDOC keep prisons secure, we are actively contributing to the safety of law-abiding Floridian civilians across the state.”
Following the testing at their Homestead facility, FDOC is looking to roll the technology out to between 60 and 70 federal penitentiaries across the State of Florida. As for AirMatrix having proven that Libra works well in this context, not just with cities and the DOD, they are taking it nationwide by seeking partnerships with all state corrections departments across the US.
