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Prison's Marx to retire
He is known by all for his compassion
Source:
Butler Eagle
Written by:
Tom Victoria
Published:
August 18, 2010
When Art Marx retires as deputy warden of the Butler County Prison in a few weeks, he will leave behind a legacy of helping others.
Since Marx, 53, started at the prison 32 years ago, he has tried to aid inmates.
"You try to help if you can," he said.
Warden Rich Gigliotti praised his deputy for spending time addressing inmate issues and the concerns of their families.
"He's a compassionate person," Gigliotti said.
Plenty of ex-inmates who have been helped by Marx show their appreciation when they see him on the outside.
"When I see them on the street, they wave and say hi," Marx said. "It feels good."
After retiring Sept. 3, Marx will miss interacting with the inmates and correction officers. What he won't miss is the rough part of the job, which includes breaking up fights and dealing with building problems such as flooding.
The former prison on Vogely Street, which was closed last summer, was built in the 1950s to hold about 50 inmates, but ended up housing 180 at its peak.
Marx said the new prison on South Washington Street is a vast improvement.
Marx applied for a prison guard post in the late 1970s to make more money than the job he had moving 54-gallon barrels.
"It paid 25 cents more an hour," he said.
Marx, who has been a deputy warden for 20 years, said the Butler prison was ahead of the curve in attempting to rehabilitate inmates, not punish them.
He said the state followed suit, mandating treatment programs. Instead of guards, prisons now have correction officers.
"It's definitely evolved into something good," he said.
Marx plans to spend more time at his Elk County camp, hunting and fishing.
He lives in Clearfield Township with his wife, Sharon, and son, Arthur, 28. His daughter, Jennifer Bowser, and her family are his neighbors.
Gigliotti is reviewing four applicants for Marx's job, which is one of two deputy warden posts.
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