Smith retires as warden of Putnamville Correctional
Brian Smith, warden of Putnamville Correctional Facility for the last five years, retired from the Indiana Department of Correction recently following a career of more than 41 years.
Smith began his career on Dec. 11, 1978 as a substance abuse counselor at Putnamville, commonly known as the Indiana State Farm (ISF).
Smith was promoted to correctional caseworker in December 1979, unit team manager in 1986, deputy warden at Rockville Correctional in 2002 and served as deputy warden at Wabash Valley Correctional. In 2011 Smith was promoted to warden at Plainfield Correctional Facility.
Smith then returned to ISF on May 24, 2015, where he finishes his career as warden.
Smith graduated from Western Michigan University in 1978. His personal interests outside the agency include spending time with his family and friends, bird hunting, Indiana University basketball, fishing, golfing and attempting to win at euchre.
Smith’s legacy in the Indiana Department of Correction and ISF will endure beyond his working years. He took time out of his schedule to engage new staff members and made himself available to mentor those who showed drive and eagerness to learn.
Smith embraced change and welcomed new ideas. He openly shared his past accomplishments and failures as an example of how each person can overcome situations and be successful in the end.