Weekender Digest: Award, wellness, and two tales

This Weekender Digest looks back at an award for officer of the year, a week of wellness fairs, and two tales from the cemetery.

Officer of the Year Award

Parole Agent Kristen Blehm named Shasta County Officer of Year

Kristen Blehm, a Redding parole agent, was recognized as the peace officer of the year by the Redding Exchange Club. Her professional journey began in 1999 when she joined the Redding Police Department as a police officer. Throughout her career, she has taken on various roles, including school resource officer and investigator before transitioning to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office as an investigator. She brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to the Division of Adult Parole Operations in 2021.

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Health & Wellness Fairs

There have been many health and wellness fairs over the last two months, including the one held at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) in Corcoran.

Pleasant Valley hosts wellness fair

Pleasant Valley State Prison promoted health and wellness with a special fair held recently in the In-Service Training classroom.

With a steady flow of staff moving through the makeshift convention center, attendees shared the same goal of prioritizing personal health. >> Read the Oct. 1 story.

CCI-Tehachapi hosts third wellness fair

The Sept. 25 Health & Wellness Fair at California Correctional Institution (CCI) at Tehachapi streamlined services for personnel staff to assist members with modifications to their health benefits during open enrollment. The employees’ association also took the opportunity to involve the community, inviting various vendors. >> Read the Sept. 29 story.

Two tales from the cemetery

Cemetery Tales: John Beebe and Joseph Balado

Kicking off the 2025 Cemetery Tales special series are two men from the cemeteries at Folsom State Prison and San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Buried in Folsom is John Beebe, a forger, burglar and bank robber who met his end while playing baseball. The second is Joseph “Jose” Balado, aka the Jamestown Slayer. After a bitter divorce, Balado shot and killed his ex-wife on her front porch. While no cause of death is listed, he passed away exactly eight years after his incarceration date. >> Read the Oct. 2 story.

Next week, we look at a 19-year-old robber named Raymond Blade and a 73-year-old career criminal and convicted murderer named Henry Hunt. They represent two people at opposite ends of the spectrum. >> Explore the Cemetery Tales category.

More stories from this week

Pleasant Valley prison staff tour MCRP‑Fresno

Pleasant Valley State Prison Warden Jerry Ourique and his management team toured the newest Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Fresno. >> Check out the Sept. 29 story.

A look at prison libraries

Like libraries found in the community, every CDCR institution offers library services to its incarcerated population. Prison libraries offer fiction and non-fiction reading materials, self-help books, magazines, newspapers, and access to the legal library. In addition, libraries offer access to a number of book clubs, writing clubs, and other pro-social activities such as games. >> Check out the Sept. 30 story and video.

CALPIA sees 90 graduate at CMC

Ninety incarcerated individuals received job certifications and/or apprenticeships from the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) at California Men’s Colony (CMC). The Sept. 18 graduation ceremony was held in front of family, friends and staff inside the chapel at CMC in San Luis Obispo. In partnership with CDCR, CCHCS, and the California Department of Industrial Relations, CALPIA recognized the graduates with their industry accredited certifications. >> Read the Oct. 3 story.

Week in Review: October 3, 2025

In this October 3 Week in Review, we spotlight Forestry Fire Training, SATF donating to a children’s hospital, and training for staff Peer Support program volunteers. >> Read the Week in Review.

Watch: SATF goes Between the Lines

Volunteers from Between the Lines recently brought their rehabilitative program to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) and State Prison at Corcoran. ESPN was also on hand to capture the game and program. >> Watch the Sept. 30 video.

Sept. 27 CDCR Weekender recap

CDCR Weekender: Fitness at 50: OCS Special Agent Scott Givens

When Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) Special Agent Scott Givens turned 50 years old, he ramped up efforts to focus on his health and fitness. >> Read the Sept. 27 story.

Weekender Digest looks back at September

Inside CDCR published nearly 60 stories in September 2025 and this Weekender Digest looks back at the month. Looking back at September, this Weekender Digest highlights some of the more popular stories you might have missed. >> Read the Weekender Digest for Sept. 27.

The Weekender Digest is compiled by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor

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