Officials investigating after drone flies over Ohio prison

MANSFIELD, Ohio (AP) - Officials say a drone flew over a northern Ohio prison while inmates were outside in the recreation yard.

A spokeswoman with the Mansfield Correctional Institution tells the News Journal (https://ohne.ws/1Id4zKZ) the drone flew over the state prison Wednesday afternoon. Mansfield is located about 65 miles southwest of Cleveland.

Drones are unmanned aircraft that are remotely controlled or fly autonomously using flight plans and a GPS.

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokeswoman JoEllen Smith says the incident is being investigated. It is unclear if contraband was dropped, but the yard was cleared and a search was conducted. No further details were released.

Smith said there have been other instances of drones breaching security. She says the agency is taking steps to increase awareness and improve detection.

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Information from: News Journal, https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com