The New York state prison system is teetering on disaster as guards have staged an unsanctioned wildcat strike at almost all of its 42 facilities. Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard and, on Wednesday, obtained a court order mandating that corrections officers return to work.

Correction officers staged the unauthorized strike, citing safety concerns and demanding better pay, increased visitor searches, and the reversal of the HALT Act, a reform measure limiting solitary confinement.