Alex has introduced a new law to make it an automatic offence simply to fly drones within 400 metres of prisons. Previously, police could only act where there was evidence of contraband being smuggled.
Drone operators who break the rules will be fined up to £2,500 while those smuggling illicit items face up to a decade behind bars
The 'no-fly zones' will increase the likelihood of police catching criminals in the act - making it easier to bring convictions and lengthy jail terms.
Alex said:
"We are working harder than ever to prevent the smuggling of contraband into our prisons and this is the latest step to keep ahead of the tactics exploited by organised criminals.
"These new anti-drone measures - along with our advanced airport-style x-ray security and drug-detection dogs - will crackdown on those illicit items that fuel violence behind bars."