Lero has been employed by the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since 2000 and has nearly 40 years of experience in corrections and criminal justice, experience which makes her imminently qualified to join the board, said Roberts.

“Peggy has done an excellent job heading one of our two parole regions, and she has a superior knowledge of parolees and what their experience is like,” said Roberts. “That intimate knowledge will serve her well on the board as she helps make determinations for the safety and security of Kansans.”

Lero replaces Kathleen Graves, who was a member of the board since its inception in 2011. Lero’s addition is the first change to the board since it was created by Governor Sam Brownback. Graves recently was named Deputy Secretary of the Community and Field Services Division of KDOC.

Currently the parole director in the Northern Parole Region office in Topeka, Lero will continue to handle duties in the regional office until a replacement is named.

Based on legally mandated sentencing guidelines, most offenders in the KDOC system are given a defined sentence at their time of sentencing. Some, however, were handed “off-grid” sentences, meaning their opportunity for parole would be determined by a governing body, which is now the Prisoner Review Board.

The board conducts public comment sessions and solicits input from advocates for the offenders, victims of crimes and legal professionals when considering parole cases. They also consider revocation of parole or post-release violations.

Lero holds master’s degrees in administration of justice from Wichita State and in correctional psychology from Emporia State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburg State University.