New Warden Appointed for Centre County Correctional Facility

Updated 5 p.m. Sept. 4, 2026

The Centre County Prison Board of Inspectors on Wednesday appointed a current deputy warden as the next leader of the county correctional facility.

Deputy Warden of Administration Danielle Minarchick will become Centre County’s first female warden as she succeeds Glenn Irwin, who is retiring on Friday, Sept. 2, after nearly four years as warden and 40 years as a corrections professional.

Minarchick, who began her service-based career at the Pyramid Healthcare Juvenile Residential Facility, joined the staff of the county jail in Benner Township in 2005 and for 18 years served as the facility’s drug and alcohol therapist.

She developed an in-house re-entry program to support and rehabilitate people with substance use disorder and other mental health concerns. She also became the facility’s certified instructor in mental health first aid and trauma informed care.

“Over her career, she has shown great leadership skills and will continue to be a great asset to the facility moving forward,” Irwin said.

Minarchick was promoted to deputy warden of administration in 2023, overseeing the facility’s treatment services team, medical team and food service staff.

“On a daily basis, she not only ensured that treatment programs were offered, but that they were truly effective,” Irwin said. “She played a huge role in the implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment Program, which continues to be a benefit to those living with substance use disorder.”

After what county officials said was an extensive search, Minarchick was one of two finalists for the position, along with Deputy Warden of Operations Michael Woods. Board members lauded both candidates and said the decision was a difficult one that required two rounds of interviews.

“We do very much appreciate Danielle agreeing to take such a high-pressure job and we very much hope that Michael will continue the great job [he has] been doing here for [16] years,” Commissioner Mark Higgins said.

Added Commissioner Steve Dershem, “Both candidates are incredible. I feel that our facility is in great hands. That being said, I would give my best regards from the board to Glenn for his years of service and leadership.”

District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said Minarchick and Woods both bring important qualities to the leadership of the jail.

“We’re really lucky that we have two individuals who bring different skills sets and that between the two of them I think they will do a great job following in Glenn’s footsteps,” Cantorna said. “It’s a really difficult choice and we’re blessed to have that choice.”

Commissioner Amber Concepcion added that both Minarchick and Woods demonstrate care for the facility’s staff and inmates.

“One of the things that really came through in the interviews is the dedication you both have to running a really well run facility in terms of taking care of the people who work under you in these roles,” Concepcion said. “It’s a difficult job and you are really tuned into the needs of the staff here as well as thinking about how you can help returning citizens do the best they can do. I really want to point out the dedication to the safety and security of everyone here in the facility and how important that is, and the amount of thought and process that you put into keeping those procedures in place.”

Minarchick will begin as warden at 4 p.m. on Friday, immediately following the conclusion of Irwin’s final shift.