Former warden Smith back in interim role at Venango jail

A search is underway for a new warden at the Venango County jail, but in the meantime, former warden Major Smith has temporarily returned to the job.

Smith is serving as the interim warden following the resignation last month of Mark Bishop, county commissioner Sam Breene said.

Smith had been the jail warden from 2006 until his retirement in January 2013, and he has remained active in the community.

Bishop, who is taking another job, gave the county a one-month notice and is helping with the transition until a new warden is hired, Breene said.

Bishop’s last day on the job is next Friday, Breene said, noting that the split was “amicable.”

Bishop, who previously worked at the Butler County jail for about 10 years, was hired as warden in April 2021.

The warden position has been posted and the county has already received about 10 applications so far, Breene said.