New York State’s corrections department is struggling to keep striking officers on the job, as it grapples with the fallout from two high-profile inmate deaths and reports of violence at the hands of its own workers.

A wildcat strike by New York state prison guards has stretched into a third week, prompting officials to start firing workers for failing to abide by a deal to end the illegal labor action.

State Police are investigating the death of a 22-year-old inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility who had been beaten by multiple correction officers.