(WTXL) — Under a new law that recently took effect, qualified 18 year olds will now be eligible for $1,000 hiring bonuses a several local Florida Department of Corrections institutions.

The Florida Department of Corrections announced $1,000 hiring bonuses for new hires on Tuesday. Thanks to recent legislation, the minimum age requirement for a correctional officer is 18 years of age.

"By expanding the hiring age for Florida’s correctional officers, we are opening more doors for young women and men to begin an honorable public safety career in our state," officials wrote in a press release.

Certified new hires are eligible to receive bonuses at the following qualifying institutions. The institutions in our local area are highlighted in black:



Apalachee Correctional Institution (Sneads)

Calhoun Correctional Institution (Blountstown)

Columbia Correctional Institution (Lake City)

Cross City Correctional Institution (Cross City)

Dade Correctional Institution (Florida City)

Franklin Correctional Institution (Carrabelle)

Florida State Prison (Raiford)

Gulf Correctional Institution (Wewahitchka)

Hamilton Correctional Institution (Jasper)

Hardee Correctional Institution (Bowling Green)

Jefferson Correctional Institution (Monticello)

Liberty Correctional Institution (Bristol)

Madison Correctional Institution (Madison)

Martin Correctional Institution (Indiantown)

Mayo Annex (Mayo)

Northwest Florida Reception Center (Chipley)

Okeechobee Correctional Institution (Okeechobee)

Reception and Medical Center (Lake Butler)

Santa Rosa Correctional Institution (Milton)

South Florida Reception Center (Doral)

Suwannee Correctional Institution (Live Oak)

Taylor Correctional Institution (Perry)

Tomoka Correctional Institution (Daytona Beach)

Union Correctional Institution (Raiford)

Wakulla Correctional Institution (Crawfordville)

Walton Correctional Institution (De Funiak Springs)

Applicants who complete their correctional officer certification through either FDC or certain state colleges will be eligible for the bonus. Paid training is also available.

For more information regarding a career with the Florida Department of Corrections, visit FLDOCjobs.com.