A special kind of leadership

How Christina Davis empowers incarcerated women 

Christina Davis may be short in stature, but her personality is larger than life. On any given day, you can see her running around the California Correctional Training Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) Optical Lab at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) encouraging the facility’s incarcerated optical technicians to do their best work. 

The optical lab makes glasses, from grinding prescriptions into blank lenses to polishing the completed frames. As a recently promoted Industrial Superintendent II, Davis is responsible for managing workflow, purchasing equipment, and supervising all on-site personnel. She joins a small cohort of women at this leadership level. According to CALCTRA Public Information Officer Michelle Kane, approximately 25% of the employees holding the CALCTRA Industrial Superintendent II position are women. 

Countless times, her team has observed her putting her hair up in a messy bun, pulling on her gloves, and jumping in to help where necessary. As incarcerated employee Jerrolyn Hunt said, “She will get down and dirty with us!” This is just one of the things that makes Davis valued by her team. 

Davis previously worked in the medical field. She was actually at an appointment with her optometrist when he told her about a job opening and asked if she would be willing to interview for the position. Two weeks later, she re-interviewed and soon after began her optical career. That was in 2004. 

In June 2022, Davis transferred from the private sector and began her career at Valley State Prison. She started as an industrial supervisor and was content in that role. She excelled and became the first woman to learn and supervise the surfacing department, responsible for grinding and polishing lenses. Davis has been at CCWF since September 2024. Because of her dedication and strong work ethic, she earned the opportunity to be promoted to her current position. 

CALCTRA Industrial Supervisor Shannon Gillis shared that she has worked in a male-dominated field for years. Gillis was excited when she learned that Davis would be the new superintendent for optical. Gillis said that she has seen how dialed in Davis has been since she walked into the lab, and how she connects with the women, guiding them with understanding and respect. 

“Watching their growth under her leadership has been inspiring. It’s incredibly refreshing to have someone in her position who truly knows what it is like to be a woman in a man’s world,” said Gillis. 

Davis admitted that learning to delegate is one of the struggles she has faced in her role as superintendent since she historically had the “I’ll do it myself” attitude. She must have gotten that from her father, who is her inspiration. “He is a hard worker, a jack of all trades, and has a can-do attitude,” Davis said. 

When asked about overcoming challenges relative to working in prison, Davis also shared that “building bridges of honest communication” is a challenge, since some people can see her as a pushover while others see her as strict. She tries to stay respectful and understanding. 

“I will treat others how I want to be treated and encourage others that anything is possible if you have the right people and the ambition. I am not judgmental nor above anyone. I’m just your average Jane,” Davis said. 

For resident Patricia Presba, a CALCTRA Optical clerk, Davis is more than that. 

“Davis is kind and patient, and she treats us all the same. She is also knowledgeable and is willing to share that knowledge with us,” Presba said. “She is an inspiration to all of us women.”