By Holly Herman
Reading Eagle
READING, Pa. — George A. Wagner said Monday that he retired as Berks County Prison warden Friday because he is tired and stressed out after working for 40 years at the prison, including 33 years as warden.
“I was just worn out,” Wagner said. “I am 62 years old. After discussions with my family, I decided it was time to retire. I know it was kind of out of the blue, but it was what I had to do.”
Wagner said he submitted his retirement letter - effective immediately - on Friday to the prison board, which met Friday afternoon to approve it. He was paid an annual salary of $98,401.
Wagner said he decided to retire immediately because he did not want to waste the county’s time extending the retirement date.
“I feel like the weight has been taken off of me,” Wagner said. “I decided last week. I just did not think I could be productive at the jail knowing I was leaving.”
Wagner said he may work in corrections in a less stressful job or in another field.
“I am looking forward to doing different things,” he said. “I am not quite sure yet what I am going to do.”
Wagner and his family resided in Heister’s Mansion on the prison grounds as part of his county benefits.
Wagner said he plans to look for a new place to live.
He said he got along well with the commissioners.
“I had a great relationship with the commissioners,” he said. “This is the best board I ever worked for in my entire career.”
The commissioners oversee the funding of the prison and are also members of the prison board.
Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt, prison board president, commended Wagner for a distinguished career.
The prison has an average daily population of 1,100 and a 2014 budget of $35.3 million.
Walter Scheipe, who retired as warden in December 1980, said he hired Wagner 40 years ago as a correctional officer.
Scheipe said Wagner did an excellent job as a correctional officer and as warden.
“He has an excellent reputation statewide in corrections,” Scheipe said. “He told me he was stressed out from the job, but always had different projects he was working on finishing.”
Barnhardt said the three deputy wardens will take over Wagner’s duties until a permanent replacement is named.
Those deputies are Janine L. Quigley, chief deputy warden of custody; Kimberly M. Bergan, deputy warden of treatment, and Ann M. Brown, deputy warden of operations.
The board will meet next week to discuss naming a replacement.