Ladeidra N. Jones, Chair
Ladeidra N. Jones has over 20 years of experience in varying roles working with Justice Involved Individuals. Her career in the criminal legal system began at the Woodford County Detention Center in Versailles, KY and she later worked with Kentucky Department of Corrections Probation & Parole Office, District 9. Ladeidra has years of clinical experience in the field of substance abuse treatment and recovery. Being formerly certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Ladeidra has worked with in Fayette County Drug Court and Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Addiction Services . Ladeidra was a member of the strategic planning team that designed and implemented an out-patient styled substance abuse treatment program at the Henderson County Detention Center (KY). In recent years, Ladeidra has also provided implicit bias training to the Kentucky Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Pre-service Academies. Ladeidra earned a B.A in criminal justice from Kentucky State University, a BA certification in Criminal Justice Equity and Inclusion from Sam Houston State University and an MBA from Midway University. Ladeidra was appointed to the Board in December 2018 and further designated as Chair of the board in July 2021
Chris Deglow, Parole Board Member
Chris Deglow has served in the criminal justice field his entire career. After working as a Kentucky State Probation and Parole Officer from 1991 until 1996, he served as a Western District of Kentucky United States Probation Officer from 1996 until his retirement from the position in 2023. During the last twelve years as a United States Probation Officer, Mr. Deglow was the district's Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist and participated on multiple national advisory groups regarding training, daily operations, and programming aimed at reducing recidivism. He earned his Bachelor Degrees in Sociology and Psychology from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Deglow was appointed to the Parole Board on August 11, 2023.
Krissie Coe Fields, Parole Board Membe
r
Krissie Coe Fields has served the past 18 years as Barren County Circuit Court Clerk. Prior to becoming clerk, she served as a regional manager for staffing and human resource company. She served three and on-half years on the Barren County Fiscal Court, being the only female magistrate ever elected in barren County, and six years on the Glasgow City Council. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Criminology and a Certificate and Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Communications. She is very active in her community with involvement in the Barren County Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Glasgow and Barren River Animal Welfare Association to name a few. She and her husband, Tommy, a law enforcement officer, reside in Glasgow and have been married for over 30 years.
Sharon Hardesty, Parole Board Member
Sharon Hardesty most recently served on the Kentucky Parole Board from 2013-2017 and was again appointed in July 2020 after a brief retirement. Hardesty is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in Sociology (B.A., M.A.) and Law (J.D.). A lifelong Kentucky resident, Hardesty spend most of her career teaching Sociology at Eastern Kentucky University. She brings a wealth of experience to the board in the areas of criminal justice, community and rehabilitation. Sharon was appointed to the Parole Board on July 21, 2020.
Cyndi Heddleston, Parole Board Member
Cyndi Heddleston has worked for the Kentucky Department of Corrections for 19 years. Ms. Heddelston worked as a Probation and Parole Officer in Lexington, KY, and the served as the accreditation manager for the Division of Probation and Parole, working with the agency's training, policy and procedure, and accreditation process.
Ms. Heddleston most recently worked with research and grant projects for the Department and served as the Department's legislative liaison. She has a B.S. in Social Work and Criminal Justice and a M.S. in Criminal Justice. Ms Heddleston is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer having served in Namibia, Southern Africa. Ms Heddleston was appoint to the Parole Board in January, 2023.
Shawn Helbig, Parole Board Member
Shawn Helbig has spent 24 years in law enforcement. He spent the vast majority of those years serving with the Bowling Green Police department and spent three years as a detective for the Warren County Attorney's office. He currently holds the position of National Trustee for the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police, where he represents nearly 11,000 law enforcement officials on the national level. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Criminology, and later earned a Master of Arts in Leadership Dynamics, both from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Helbig was appointed to the Parole Board on August 22, 2022.
Michael A. James, Parole Board Member
Michael A. James has spent his entire career in the criminal justice system. His experience includes nine years with the Texas Department of Corrections, two years in private corrections, and 23 years with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Mr. James retired from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 2017 with the rank of Major as a division commander. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Justice and Public Safety, and a certificate in Conflict Management from Sullivan University. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course and the FBI National Academy. Mr. James served three years on the Louisville Metro Police Merit Board. Michael was appointed to the Parole Board on June 17, 2021.
Sherri Lathan, Parole Board Member
Sherri Lathan began her career in corrections as a Correctional Officer at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex. She was promoted to Probation and Parole Officer and served for 14 years. Sherri has a Bachelor of Science in Correctional Administration and a Master of Arts in Special Education. Prior to retirement, she served as a Recruitment and Certification worker for the state's foster care system. Sherri holds a Highly Qualified Special Education Certification and previously served as an Exceptional Child Educator in the Fayette County Public System. She has also served as a Disability and Mental Health Specialist and Compliance Manager with Community Action Council. More recently, Sherri returned to her passion in Corrections by serving as the Reentry Mentor Coordinator for Lexington Rescue Mission. Sherri was appointed to the Parole Board on June 17, 2021.
James D. Nickell, Parole Board Member
Jim Nickell is a graduate of Morehead State University and continued his professional training at Eastern Kentucky University and the Federal Law Enforcement Academy. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to Kentucky where he served thirty-seven years in law enforcement and administrative positions.
Mr. Nickell began his professional career as Sheriff and Rowan County Judge Executive. He then worked with the Kentucky Attorney General's Office for nineteen years as a Criminal Investigator and Supervisor. He also served as Assistant Director of the Prosecutor Advisory Council. Mr. Nickell retired in 2004. After a brief time off, he returned to work as a Detective with the 37th Circuit Commonwealth Attorney's Office. He then served again in local government as Rowan County Judge Executive for eight additional years. Mr. Nickell was appointed to the Parole Board in August 2022.
Leigh A. Wiggins, Parole Board Member
Leigh Wiggins has a variety of work experience that includes social work, the correctional field and substance abuse counseling. She began her work as deputy jailer at the Daviess County Detention Center then transitioned to social service worker with the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services, Protection and Permanency Division. Ms. Wiggins then returned to the Daviess County Detention Center and worked in the Substance Abuse Program for the next seventeen years, with the last three as the Director of the program. Ms. Wiggins earned her BSW at Brescia University and her MSW at Spalding University. Ms. Wiggins also has her certification as a drug and alcohol counselor. Ms. Wiggins has been an active member of the Daviess County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy. Ms. Wiggins was appointed to the board August 2, 2023.