Department of Corrections
VanHoose Promoted to Director of Probation & Parole

Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Department of Corrections Commissioner John D. Rees today announced the promotion of Lelia “Lee” VanHoose to the Director of the Division of Probation & Parole.

“Lee has done an outstanding job with the supervision of the Lexington-Fayette County Office,” said Rees. “Her relationships with judges, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are very positive and productive. I look forward to her leadership as we embark on an endeavor to maximize our efforts to provide public safety through community supervision.”

VanHoose began her career with the Department of Corrections, Division of Probation & Parole on March 1, 1985 as a Probation & Parole Officer in the Louisville office. In September 1986, she transferred to the Versailles Probation & Parole office where she supervised a caseload in Bourbon and Scott counties for the next 12 years. VanHoose was then promoted to Assistant District Supervisor in District 14 on June 1, 1998. She served in that position until July 1, 2004 when she was promoted to District Supervisor in the 9th District (Lexington).

During her career, VanHoose has been a member of the Kentucky State Parole Officers’ Association, Southern State Correctional Association and the International Community Corrections Association. She has received numerous honors during her 20 year career including being named the District Employee of the Year in 1995 and the Assistant Supervisor of the Year in 2001.

A native of Johnson County, VanHoose is a 1984 graduate of Georgetown College where she majored in sociology with a minor in psychology. She attended Georgetown on a Women’s Basketball scholarship, amassing over 1,000 points and over 750 rebounds as a four-year starter for the team. In 1986, VanHoose returned to the Georgetown College Women’s Basketball program serving as assistant coach through the 1992 season.

VanHoose resides in Lexington where she is an avid University of Kentucky Women’s Basketball fan and enjoys the available sporting and cultural events in the region.  She has volunteered as a coach and bookkeeper with Kentucky Special Olympics for 10 years in Woodford County.