Aug. 26, 2020
Wood bailiff named state’s first part-time
Parole Board member
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Wood County bailiff is now also the West
Virginia Parole Board’s first part-time member, following his appointment by
Gov. Jim Justice.
Bickford
Lee Tice is the first substitute board member, a position created by recent legislation
that revamped the Parole Board and transferred its administrative and support functions
to the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Tice
has been with the Wood County Sheriff’s Department since 2009, serving as a
courtroom bailiff. A Navy veteran, Tice previously taught high school social
studies. He earned his undergraduate degree from Marshall University and a
master’s degree in speech communications from West Virginia
University-Parkersburg.
The
W.Va. Parole Board performs a critical role in the state’s criminal justice
system. Hearing cases in panels of three, it contributes to public safety by
facilitating the return of offenders to society as law-abiding citizens. It also makes clemency recommendations to the
governor.
Justice
appointed Tice on Aug. 18, to a term that expires in June 2026. House Bill
4509, which became law June 5, allows the governor to appoint up to five
substitute members to fill in for one of the board’s nine full-time members. Its
measures promise to increase the Parole Board’s efficient operations and help
it fulfill its statutory duties whenever a full-time member is unable to serve.
The
Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation is part of the Department of
Homeland Security, as was the Parole Board before HB 4509.
“Tice
has dedicated himself to a lifetime of public service,” Homeland Security
Secretary Jeff Sandy said. “From his military career, as a teacher, football
and basketball coach, and to protecting the courtrooms in Wood County he has
served the public with distinction. Tice prides himself in excelling in
everything he does, and the governor expects no less from him in this important
position. Tice will be an important part
of the growth and future of the Parole Board.”
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