The last bar I worked at was a CO hangout. There are 2 prisons 5 minutes away, and a 3rd about 20 minutes away. I got to know quite a few, and heard lots of stories about dirty CO's. A couple years ago a CO was caught bring drugs into an upstate prison. After being interrogated he admitted to bring in cell phones, chargers, lots more drugs and over 100 scalpels. SERT teams from all over the state were sent in to literally turn the whole prison upside down, looking for the contraband. Only 73 scalpels were found.
Female CO's that were professional and did not have sex with inmates despised those that did, as did the male CO's. I know of 4 female CO's that lost their jobs for having sex with inmates, none of whom did any time for it. The whole teaching program in one close by prison, all females, quit after the director of the program was caught in a compromising position with an inmate. It seems all 12 were doing inmates, too, and wanted to get out before they were investigated. From what I understand all 12 went on to teach in local schools. It seems that street gangs like the Bloods and Crips have women who become CO's for the sole purpose of servicing gang members where they work. I have been told there were 2 arrested recently, for just that reason. Surprisingly, they both sported gang tattoos on their arms for everyone to see.
Another CO I know well started his career a few years ago at a downstate prison. He told me that a good 70% of the guards are dirty, and the sneaking in of contraband by them is totally out of control. He transferred out as quickly as he could.
The worst part about being a CO in NYS? Our governor. His administration has decreed that each inmate gets a kindle. It takes about 10 minutes for them to be hacked so inmates can communicate with people outside the prison. 50 pounds of goods can be sent to inmates each month, and there is just no way all of it can be screened by staff for contraband. Inmates are no longer allowed to be drug tested, and may no longer be put in the hole for disciplinary measures. Assaults on staff have become out of control, and even prison's that have a reputation for being relatively safe no longer are.
Sadly, being a CO in NYS is about the best paying job available for guys with just a high school education and no technical skills. Many guys make $100,000+ a year after they get out of the academy, with overtime. Many also work what is known as 2's and 4's, where they work 2 double shifts in a row, then have 4 days off. Those are great incentives, but even with all that, they are working in a cesspool with human excrement up to their noses their whole shift. I couldn't do it and have a great deal of respect for those that do, and do the job right.