By Holly Herman
Reading Eagle
READING, Pa. — The Berks County Prison Board appointed Janine L. Quigley, chief deputy warden of custody, as acting warden with a 10 percent increase in her salary to $88,770.
Quigley’s appointment Wednesday follows George A. Wagner sudden retirement Jan. 31 after 33 years as warden.
The board also decided to advertise for a replacement and name a committee to review resumes.
Quigley, 48, declined to discuss if she plans to apply for the permanent position.
“I love what I do and I have filled in many times before when Wagner was on vacation,” Quigley said. “I appreciate the opportunity to be acting warden.”
Quigley said operations of the prison, with an average daily population of 1,200, will continue as normal.
Kimberly M. Bergan, deputy warden of treatment, and Ann M. Brown, deputy warden of operations, will assist Quigley in running the prison.
“I am so fortunate to have a career that I love,” said Quigley, who has worked in the jail since 1986.
The board said a committee of three county representatives and three prison experts will review resumes and make recommendations to the board.
The county representatives are Christine M. Sadler, prison board solicitor; Carl E. Geffen, chief operations officer; and Arnie Wetzel, human resources director. The prison representatives are Pennsylvania Secretary of Corrections John E. Wetzel and two wardens or prison officials not yet named.
Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt, board chairman, said the process could take some time.
Wagner said during an interview last week that he retired because he was tired of the stress of the job and wanted to relax or possibly work in a more positive environment.
The board also agreed to allow inmates to set up tents at the Reading Fair in Bern Township in August. Wagner previously informed fair officials that he was planning to retire and the work of the inmates, who typically prepared and cleaned the grounds, would be reduced.