Typically Schuylkill County Prison Warden Michael Buchanan presents the monthly report at county Prison Board meetings.

But last week, at Buchanan’s request, and with retired Warden David J. Wapinsky standing by, Deputy Warden Jon J. Bowman stepped to the podium - to announce his retirement before giving the report.

Bowman joined Port Carbon’s police force in 1988, then became chief for 13 years before retiring from that post in 2014. He went to work in the prison in 2015.

It was a job he never dreamed of doing.

“I can honestly say, without being destined for that, I would have never worked in a prison. That was one job I saw in life that I was never going to have, and to make that jump…and here we are, 11 years later,” he said.

Bowman started as a shift lieutenant.

“With 28-plus years in police work, I can tell you right now, those days of being a shift, lieutenant were the toughest thing I ever did in my life,” he said. “The responsibility that you had for those souls and staff, and to make sure that everything was run the right way, it was the toughest thing that I ever had to go and do. Fast forwarding to where we are now, with (prison) Board and the improvements that were made and the working conditions, I think I can certainly say that the place is in much better shape than when I found it.”

He praised Wapinsky, Buchanan, and his co-workers for their leadership, and Commissioner Gary J. Hess, for hiring him 11 years ago.

“I’m proud to have been a part of this, and hopefully I’ll be back in some capacity somewhere around the road,” Bowman said.

President Judge Jacqueline L. Russell thanked Bowman for his service, and those attending the meeting offered a round of applause.

As the meeting continued, Controller Sharyn M. Yackinchick presented the board with a list of personnel changes.

They included promoting Capt. Barron Line to Bowman’s former post, effective Sept. 7; promoting Lt. Matthew Rose to captain effective Sept. 7; promoting Corrections Officer Victoria Morales to lieutenant, effective Aug. 24; promoting part-time Corrections Officer Daniel Waltz to lieutenant, effective Sept. 7; and promoting Nicholas DiMarco from part-time to full-time corrections officer, effective Aug. 24.

The board approved all of the changes.