Whistleblower exposes truth about Gavin Newsom’s parole board

A former California parole agent has voiced serious concerns about what he describes as insufficient oversight of parolees within the state’s corrections system, cautioning that this could pose a threat to public safety.

According to the former agent, who worked with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 15 years, the supervision of offenders deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not been fully restored, as reported by KCRA 3.

These claims have sparked renewed concerns regarding California’s parole policies under Governor Gavin Newsom. The California Post has reached out to the governor’s office for an official response.

The former parole officer, who spent six years in the San Francisco parole office, spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation, but felt it was necessary to reveal what he considers systemic issues, according to the local news source.

“As a sex offender agent, I had GPS tracking information, so I could see pretty much where they were at any given time, but beyond that, what they were doing at those moments, I have no idea,” the former agent told KCRA 3.

The whistleblower noted that the problems began when pandemic restrictions forced parole officers to supervise offenders mostly by phone instead of face-to-face meetings.

“It was literally, ‘Are you abiding by the law today? Yes? Fantastic,’” the former agent explained. “Whatever they told us is exactly what we would put in the system.”

After COVID-era restrictions were lifted, agents resumed fieldwork, but the former officer claims they were instructed to avoid traditional enforcement duties, like conducting investigations or making arrests for parole violations.

The former officer believes this hands-off approach might falsely portray the system as effective.

“Logically speaking, if you do not actively investigate, pursue, and arrest these individuals, and we are the best tasked to do that … well, now rehabilitation appears that it’s working and recidivism is dropping,” he said.

“Because if you’re leaving it to external agencies to do your job … it’s much less likely that they will be discovered at least as often as they’re committing crimes.”

A spokesperson for CDCR stated to The California Post that the agency’s “top priority is public safety.”

“CDCR collaborates with other law enforcement partners and pursues parole violations where appropriate,” spokesperson Terri Hardy said, countering KCRA’s report.

“Parole agents are highly trained peace officers who work daily in communities throughout the state, conducting compliance checks, coordinating with local law enforcement, and connecting individuals on supervision with programs that reduce the likelihood of reoffending.”

These concerns arise as Hanako Abe’s family pursues legal action over a fatal crash that critics argue exposed possible weaknesses in the parole system.

Abe, 27, and Elizabeth Platt, 60, were fatally struck in December 2020 while crossing a street in downtown San Francisco.

Prosecutors allege the driver, Troy McAlister, was speeding and intoxicated on meth and alcohol when he ran a red light and struck the women in a crosswalk.

According to a government claim filed earlier this month by Abe’s family, police in Daly City had reached out to state parole agents two days before the crash, requesting assistance in locating McAlister due to parole violations.

However, the family asserts that no help was provided.

The filing references a May 2020 email allegedly sent by parole supervisors in San Francisco, instructing officers not to assist other law enforcement agencies and to avoid actively searching for violations.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Ms. Abe. CDCR’s mission is public safety and we deeply sympathize with their loss,” Hardy said in a statement.

“Troy McCallister killed their daughter because he made the decision to drink and drive and he should be held accountable for the harm he caused.”

Nonetheless, the former parole agent cautioned that without enhanced oversight, similar tragedies might happen again.

“They’re not being properly supervised. I believe that’s purposeful in nature. And unequivocally, I will state that they are not safe,” the former agent said.

“People are not safe at all. These parolees are left to rampage throughout the state and more issues will occur that are similar in nature to, unfortunately, the incident that occurred in San Francisco.”

McAlister is currently awaiting trial and has pleaded not guilty to charges that include vehicular manslaughter.

The case has already stirred political controversy across the Bay Area, contributing to the recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, whose office previously decided not to pursue a life sentence against McAlister in an earlier case.

Court records indicate McAlister has a lengthy criminal history with nine felony convictions, ranging from drug-related offenses to attempted carjacking and robbery.

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