CCWF’s first on-site incarcerated optician 

On Jan. 16, 2026, Dawn Godman did what no incarcerated man or woman has done before in Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF). She took and passed the American Board of Opticians (ABO) National Opticianry Competency Examination. 

Godman said, “I am ecstatic,” when asked how she felt to have accomplished such a feat. 

Although Godman has been a lab technician for five years with California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA), formerly CALPIA, she had to complete 6000 hours of training on-site and four training system program manuals. 

The final hurdle was being able to do quality control on a set of glasses before they are shipped out. 

It was only when these tasks were complete that she was then eligible to take the pretest, which she had to pass with a score of 70% or better before being allowed to take the actual ABO exam. 

All Superintendent I’s are ABO-approved proctors, so the two-hour, 100-question test can be taken onsite. 

Obtaining her ABO certification has been a goal Godman has been working toward for 15 years. Her journey started while she worked at Optical in Valley State Prison for Women. 

When CALCTRA opened optical in 2021, Godman applied herself, completed her apprenticeship, met all the prerequisites, and finally achieved her dream. 

Thinking about what this accomplishment means to her, Godman said, “This certification gives me the opportunity to support myself and not have to rely on anyone when I parole.” 

Godman credits a lot of her success to the support of her immediate supervisor, Christina Davis, and the flexibility she demonstrated when she allowed Godman to study for an hour a day while at work. 

Godman spent that time using a specialized textbook called Pure Optics to study for the ABO. That text is not permitted to leave the premises, and so Godman said she was grateful to have had the opportunity to utilize it during her work hours. 

Reflecting on what part of the exam she found most challenging, Godman indicated that she found the progressive lens portions the most difficult because she has not had the chance to work with those types of lenses here at CALCTRA labs. 

“Progressive lenses are eyewear that have a bifocal portion without the visible line that most CALCTRA eyewear have,” Godman said. “However, with a progressive lens, that line is invisible.” 

Any place that dispenses glasses has to have an optician on-site to open its doors. By passing the exam, Godman said she is eligible to be hired as an on-site optician in any eyewear store in America. 

When asked why her long-term goal was optometry, Godman said, “I enjoy the work. I found purpose in helping others see better. Our contract is with the California Department of Health Care Services for Medi-Cal patients. I was once a Medi-Cal recipient; my family is on Medi-Cal. This is my living amends.”