A Day in the Life, Division of Adult Parole Operations

Meet Redding Parole Unit Agent Kristen Blehm

March 18, 2024

Parole Agent Blehm, who was a police officer for 25 years, said there is a big difference between policing and parole.

(Editor’s note: In honor of Women’s History Month, Inside CDCR is highlighting Parole Agent Kristen Blehm.)

Kristen Blehm has served her community for over 25 years, first as a police officer and now as a parole agent. She is one of a team of agents, clinical social workers and others who work in the Redding Parole Unit.

Inside CDCR sat down with Agent Blehm to talk about her career, what it’s like working in a rural parole office and the difference between being a police officer and a parole agent.

A Day in the Life of Parole Agent Kristen Blehm

Kristen Blehm, Parole Agent, Redding Parole Unit sitting at a desk with a graphic of the following text overlaying the photo: "Difference between urban and rural parole offices? (In a rural office), we are traveling to neighboring counties, over mountain passes, sometimes in the snow or other adverse weather conditions."

She begins her day checking the movements of those on ankle-bracelet monitored parole.

“I work GPS, sex registrants, so I monitor where they went the day before,” Blehm explains.

She said the GPS tells her if the person on supervision strayed into areas they are supposed to stay away from such as playgrounds, schools, or people with restraining orders.

After poring over the information, she makes any notes and sets off on the next task, which could be just about anything.

“No day is the same, but we do have schedules,” she said. “Once a week, we have an officer of the day so one of us is (in the office) from 8 to 5. We also have caseload rosters, so we schedule our days.”

Working in a rural parole office presents unique challenges not found in larger cities.

“I drive three hours each way to see one guy. It takes an entire day for one home visit,” Blehm said. “Some days I might see 10 people. That’s a great day.”

Traveling is the biggest difference between serving a rural community and a city.

“Some agents in a city might be able to see 10 or more of their clients in a single day because they are all located in one city block. Here, we are traveling to neighboring counties, over mountain passes, sometimes in the snow or other adverse weather conditions,” she explained. “It’s a big difference.”

From 25-year police officer to parole agent

As a police officer for 25 years, she was less involved in people’s lives after making the arrest. As a parole agent, it’s just the opposite.

“Parole agents are much more involved in social work, following somebody for a few years,” she said.

Being a woman working in parole, often viewed as a male-dominated profession, isn’t something she dwells on.

“(Effective communication) all depends on the (paroled person),” she said. “You can tell some were raised to be respectful to women. Those individuals say ‘yes, ma’am’ but there are also those who are hardcore and don’t care if you’re a woman or not.”

Law was her first choice for a career, but not necessarily the enforcement or supervision side.

“I wanted to be an attorney and got my degree in criminal justice,” she said. “Then I saw them recruiting for the academy to be a police officer. They would pay for you to attend.”

Looking at her options, including the price tag for becoming a lawyer, she decided to give police work a try for a while.

“It wasn’t foreign to me. I have a brother and uncle in law enforcement,” she said.

After 25 years as a police officer and over two years as a parole agent, she’s beginning to consider retirement.

“Unlike a lot of younger people today, I started working when I was 12 years old (in the family shop). I’ve been working my whole life,” Blehm recalls. “It’s easier for some people to follow the advice of leaving work at work but I have a hard time doing that. But still, I try to go home, to be present with my kids, and not look at my phone.”

Story and photos by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Communications

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