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Juvenile guards wanted: Must endure long shifts, violence

South Carolina’s Office of Juvenile Justice has 232 corrections officer vacancies - more than they have officers. They say no one is applying.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Looking for work in South Carolina? Juvenile Justice corrections officers get $35,000 a year to start, but the shifts are grueling and violence is an ever-present danger. 

Eden Hendrick just took over South Carolina’s Office of Juvenile Justice. She told lawmakers that she has 232 corrections officer vacancies - more than she has officers. She says no one is applying.

RELATED: 'We have a long-long way to go': DJJ head describes reform efforts, progress

The starting salary was recently bumped up from $30,000 a year, and she's hiring a recruiting firm to help. But she testified Tuesday that there's no way the office's problems will get fixed anytime soon.

RELATED: 'We're happy that he's gone': DJJ employee, lawmaker react to director's resignation

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