Beyond the Badge, Division of Adult Parole Operations

Meet Justin Benson, Parole Agent II

May 24, 2024

Justin Benson, Parole Agent II, said the Redding Parole Unit plays a crucial role in helping people succeed in their reentry efforts.

Parole bridges incarceration, community reentry

Justin Benson knows the people served by the Redding Parole Unit, mainly because he lives and works in the community as a parole agent II. For seven years, he’s been with the Division of Adult Parole Operations and previously did an 11-year stint with the Shasta County Probation Department.

With deep knowledge of the community, available resources, and a team ready to assist, Benson said parole is focused more on getting people help before returning them to prison.

“The old practice of ‘hooking them and booking them’ back into custody hasn’t proven to be effective, especially for those battling addiction (and chronic) homelessness,” he said. “Parole does a great job making referrals before they go to jail.”

The Redding Parole Unit, working with community-based organizations, helps connect people with resources.

While most of their clients are doing their best to reenter society, some need extra encouragement.

Justin Benson, parole agent II at Redding Parole Unit.

“There are transients who want to live off the grid and are adept at camping. Then again, there are also those who are stealing, committing crimes, or have mental health issues.”
Justin Benson, Parole Agent II
Redding Parole Unit

Driving through Redding

On a drive through the community, Benson spotted a frequent absconder.

At a stoplight, Benson called out to the person by name. Briefly stopping, the person pulled his hood over his head, and continued walking in the opposite direction.

Benson phoned the office, checked the status of the person he spotted, and proceeded down the street.

Parking the car along the road, Benson peered into a ravine just off the road. There was a small homeless encampment scattered among the trees.

He then called in backup to search for the person. Luckily, this is in town and another agent is only a few minutes away. But when agents are in outlying areas, then it can be tricky.

“What plagues a rural parole office is we might send an agent three to four hours away so back-up can take a while to get there,” Benson explained.

Once, when in Modoc County, he had to remove someone from a situation, requiring backup. The situation wasn’t dangerous, but policy required a second person on scene. Logistics, distance, and geographical challenges mean the agent can be waiting a while.

“You need to be able to think on your feet and adapt,” Benson said. “It (may take) time for backup to arrive.”

Agent Kristen Blehm’s background as a police officer comes in handy in many situations.

“She is an excellent parole agent and I trust her judgement,” Benson said.

The Redding Parole Unit’s Behavioral Health Reintegration team meets people when they first get out of prison on parole.

“We interact with them so we can determine their level of care,” said Clinical Social Worker Deidra Ward. “We connect them to community resources or some base interventions they may need.”

Photos, story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor