FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2021
Contact: lauren@scdp.org, 803-832-0819
SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS STAND WITH EMPLOYEES OF SC DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
South Carolina Democratic Party Chair, Trav Robertson, Jr. released the following statement:
“Our disaster of a governor, Henry McMaster is once again showing his inability to thoughtfully lead our state’s most critical institutions. The Director of Juvenile Justice Freddie Pough was selected and appointed by the Governor and has clearly lost the confidence of his staff who are tasked with caring for children under the age of 17, who find themselves in the unfortunate circumstance of being incarcerated, on probation or parole, or in community placement. ”
“Deplorable working conditions including requiring staff to work 24-hour shifts and in some cases more, is indefensible. Workers report being overworked, severely understaffed, underpaid and tremendous concerns for their own well being while on the job. This is yet another instance of DJJ dysfunction, in addition to issues highlighted by Senator Harpootlian in a recent hearing regarding a sixteen year old in DJJ custody who attempted suicide, specifically citing the poor conditions in the facility in which she was being held.”
“Democrats are not the only ones outraged by the failures of McMaster and Pough. Republican Senator Katrina Shealy not only joined the walkout with employees, but has been vocal in the need for reform at the agency which today’s walkout proves is being horrendously mismanaged. ”
###
