New state government laws came into effect on Thursday in an attempt to prevent the remote controlled flying vehicles from being used to smuggle contraband.

Under the ban, anyone caught intentionally or recklessly flying a drone at or below 120 metres above a prison or youth justice facility, or within 120m of their boundaries, faces up to two years in prison.

The ban also applies toLangi Kal Kal Prison at Trawalla and the Corella Place supervised residential facility for sex offenders located near Hopkins Correctional Centre.

Corrections Victoria is in the process of installing signs outside Hopkins Correctional Centre and Corella Place warning people about the new laws.

Hopkins Correctional Centre has seen an increase in the rate of prisoners testing positive for drugs and a surge in the number of weapons confiscated.

It’s the first ban of its kind in Australia, with existing Commonwealth laws only restricting the use of drones above 120 metres in all airspace.

According the Victorian Department of Justice, the laws will not punish accidental or unintentional behaviour, and apply only to conduct that intentionally or recklessly threatens the security or good order of a corrections or youth justice facility.

Acting Minister for Corrections Jenny Mikakos said that in addition to banning drones, the new laws also mean that helicopters will be unable to fly at or below 120 metres above corrections or youth justice facilities.

“We’re cracking down on drones to stop contraband such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones entering Victorian justice facilities,” she said.

“The safety and security of justice facilities is of the utmost importance and the new laws will create a safe buffer zone.

“With no-fly zones now in force, anyone caught using a drone or a helicopter in a way that intentionally or recklessly threatens the security of a justice facility faces up to two years behind bars.”

More information on the new laws is available from the Department of Justice website.