The "complex" isn't just of private companies. In California, for example, the prison officers' union (California Correctional Peace Officers Association or CC

The "complex" isn't just of private companies. In California, for example, the prison officers' union (California Correctional Peace Officers Association or CCPOA) is a major political power, and advocates for harsher sentencing rules. This article describes some of its political history [1], starting in the 1990s. > "In 1994, it was a major force behind the passage of Proposition 184, California’s “Three Strikes” initiative. In the same election cycle, it spent a record amount on former Gov. Pete Wilson’s successful reelection campaign…" Since 2011 it seems to have reduced its spending on elections. However, this article [2] says that in the 2016 election they upped their spending again, and suggests that they had been splitting "members’ contributions among a half-dozen or more PACS" to somewhat obscure their advocacy. [1] http://capitolweekly.net/ccpoa-transition-powerful-low-profile-campaign-spending/ http://capitolweekly.net/ccpoa-transition-powerful-low-profi... [2] http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article58052373.html http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-wor...