Division of Adult Parole Operations, Rehabilitation

Parole success requires community partners

June 13, 2024

For reentry success, rural parole offices like the Redding Parole Unit collaborate with community partners and other agencies.

(Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series looking at CDCR’s rural parole offices.)

Teamwork in rural parole offices is important, as Parole Agent II Justin Benson is fully aware.

He works with the other agents, parole service associates, and clinical social workers out of the Redding Parole Unit.

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

On a drive around the community, Benson points out places where people on parole supervision receive services.

One such place is the Good News Rescue Mission.

“They offer food, church services and shower tokens so they can get cleaned up,” he said. “Our agents will do field visits there. Our agents do a good job recognizing the jail might not be the best place to find help.”

Parole works with community partners

Agent Kristen Blehm in the Redding Parole Unit office. — Parole Agent Blehm, who was a police officer for 25 years, said there is a big difference between policing and parole.

Agents are often called in to help smaller city or county departments.

“Stuff comes in like requests from other agencies,” Parole Agent Kristen Blehm said. “We help check on transient camps. It’s good for maintaining positive relationships with other agencies.”

Some of the county jails do not have resources for those who need the basics to help them with reentry.

“Modoc County doesn’t have transitional housing, so Redding becomes that central hub,” Benson said.

People coming out of prison often don’t have a reliable support system. If they aren’t staying with family, agents and social workers try to connect them with services.

“(We are) getting them clothed, housed, fed and meeting their basic needs so they can better focus on reentry,” Benson explained.

Community partnerships

Organizations such as No Boundaries and the Good News Rescue Mission are valuable community partners, he said.

“No Boundaries offers transitional housing and sober living at the hotel,” Benson explained. Two hotels in Redding are part of the program.

No Boundaries was founded in 2017 at South Lake Tahoe. After relocating to Redding, organizers found a serious need.

“It was in Redding that we identified an overwhelming population of homeless individuals and a high ratio of parolees to residents. In 2020, we established housing and opened our doors with just five rooms, which allowed for 10 beds,” according to their website. “Since then, we have experienced significant growth and have expanded our capacity to 40 rooms, accommodating at least 80 participants at any given time.”

How the organizations help

No Boundaries offers:

employment assistance
emergency placement
healthcare
job training
education assistance

Meanwhile, the Good News Rescue Mission has been helping people since 1964.

“What started as a three-bedroom shelter for men has grown into a 389-bed facility offering various services to men, women, and children in need. All free of charge,” according to the organization.

The organization provides emergency subsistence services such as food, shelter, and clothing as well as long-term recovery services.

“Guests staying at the Mission receive services to help change lives and build a new future. Recovery programs provide essential help to overcome substance abuse. The Academic Center helps with education, job training and job search assistance. Other support such as legal assistance, housing assistance and medical services are also available,” according to the Good News Rescue Mission.

Learn more about No Boundaries on their website.

Learn more about the Good News Rescue Mission on their website.

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

Learn more about CDCR’s parole agents.

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.