Proposed SC bill could lower required age to become a corrections officer from 21 to 18
The Law Enforcement Training bill, if approved would lower the required age to become a detention or corrections officer from 21 to 18 years old.
The Law Enforcement Training bill, if approved would lower the required age to become a detention or corrections officer from 21 to 18 years old.
The Law Enforcement Training bill, if approved would lower the required age to become a detention or corrections officer from 21 to 18 years old.
A bill making its way through the South Carolina Legislature is looking to help detention centers across the state.
The Law Enforcement Training bill, if approved would lower the required age to become a detention or corrections officer from 21 to 18 years old.
Leaders with Greenville county and the Spartanburg County sheriff said this is could give their employees a huge boost.
Staffing shortages are nothing new for local businesses, school districts, and government offices.
Right now, the Greenville County Detention Center has more the 65 open positions.
While they have been able to manage, Greenville county officials believe lowering the required age could open some new doors.
"If the state wants to get out of the way and allow us to make a decision on whether we want to hire 18-year-olds we're always for that. Now whether or not as an organization we will move forward and hire those under 21 or change our policy. We don't know yet," Greenville County Spokesman Bob Mihalic said.
In Spartanburg County, Sheriff Chuck Wright said they have more than 50 openings.
"The way I see it. You have young men at the age of 17 that they let them shoot guns at people overseas and they let them throw hand grenades and drive multi-million dollar tanks and equipment. There's no reason why some of these 18-year-olds can't come in here and be employed by the sheriff's office," Wright said.
Earlier this year, Greenville County had to close its juvenile detention center because of a lack of staff which could change if this bill passes.
"The juvenile detention facility being shut down is temporary. We shifted some of the staff from the juvenile to the main facility. Our absolute goal is to reopen the juvenile detention facility and increasing recruitment can certainly help with that," Mihalic said
Wright added he has no worries about putting 18-year-olds in this situation.
"It doesn't matter if you're 18, 38, or 58. Our policies are what they are. The laws are what they are and they're smart enough to follow them. I got confidence in some 18-year-olds," Wright said.
Right now, the bill has been enrolled for ratification. Lawmakers hope to have further movement on this bill when they return to session later this year.