New York fired over 2,000 prison guards for refusing to return after a 22-day wildcat strike that crippled the correctional system.

While fewer than the required 85% of staff resumed work, officials declared the strike over and agreed to honor parts of a new deal, including overtime and a temporary rollback of solitary confinement limits.

The National Guard remains in prisons as the state recruits replacements, the Associated Press has reported.

The strike, sparked by poor working conditions, led to deteriorating inmate conditions and multiple deaths, including one under criminal investigation involving correctional officers.

Written by B.C. Begley