COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice says multiple youth at the facility assaulted a staff member and damaged property with hammers during a disturbance Tuesday morning.
The agency said the incident began around 9 a.m. Tuesday at SCDJJ's Broad River Road Complex. Executive Director Eden Hendrick said in a statement the disturbance began in what's known as the Birchwood School.
Hendrick said it involved number of youth, who she said then assaulted a staff member. According to her, the students were "out of place" for a period of time on campus.
During that time, Hendrick said the youth were able to get their hands on hammers and damaged multiple cars and property. Hendricks said agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) were called to the scene to end the incident. By noon, SLED agents say the situation was under control.
Hendrick said the injuries to an employee and one of the youth are considered non life-threatening.
She added that all staff and youth have been accounted for.
"SLED is currently conducting interviews and is leading the investigation into this incident," Hendrick said.
SLED is located a short distance away from DJJ.
DJJ has had ongoing issues with staffing and security. In June, two students at the Broad River facility were sent to the hospital after what was called a "group disturbance." SLED was brought in to investigate.
Earlier this month, Hendrick told state senators that as of October 5 the Broad River Road campus has a 52 percent vacancy rate with 176 officer positions unfilled agencywide.
Hendrick's appearance before the Senate came nearly a year after the former director resigned following protests from some employees who said they had to work 24 hour shifts and feared for their safety.
DJJ's inspector general John Ewing said the agency had recently reached an agreement with SLED to refer crimes that are reported in the facility.
In August, lawmakers approved a $20 million bond for a new mental health facility for DJJ youth.