Centre County administrators are hiring as they prepare to open the new county prison. Administrators say the first round of hires is to include full and part-time prison guards.

The county is going from a prison that holds about 70 inmates, to a new prison where the eventual capacity is to be over 200. Administrators say they do not think they will have any problems filling the nearly 20 new positions.

"These are good paying positions which will probably be filled fairly quickly. I've been getting class and e-mail asking when we're going to advertise," said Centre County Commissioner Chris Exarchos.

The positions start at $12/hour and commissioners say some of the current part-time guards will be bumped up to full-time. All new officers will be required to undergo five weeks of state-mandated training.

The prison is to open in June with close to 50 corrections officers. Administrators say there will probably be another round of hiring for prison personnel later this year.