Catherwood LibraryILR School

In New York, the internal affairs unit has decided to launch an investigation into the corrections officers conduct toward inmates. Up until recently, internal affairs had been hesitant to challenge the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, an organization that represents approximately 20,000 members. The union holds a considerable amount of power in rural New York areas where prisons are one of the main employers. Through lobbying, the prisons have obtained good labor contracts for their members, and are largely well protected by lawmakers.