California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority, Inside CDCR Video, Rehabilitation

CALPIA Optical Program teaches job skills

September 5, 2025

CALPIA’s Optical Program at Central California Women’s Facility helps participants envision a brighter future through job training and learning employable skills.

At the women’s facility in Chowchilla, they manufacture lenses through Medi-Cal, according to CALPIA program manager J. Verburg.

“They learn everything from prescription to actual manufacturing. The skills they’re learning will help them get a job (after incarceration), making good wages at any of the major players in the optical world,” Verburg said.

The optical program has modern up-to-date equipment so the students are learning on machines they would use in the outside world.

“We have the best supervisors,” said A. Robinson, superintendent for the optical program. “I have very knowledgeable supervisors (who) train them in every aspect of the optical manufacturing process.”

Melinda, one of the CALPIA program participants, said the skills she’s learning go beyond manufacturing.

“They’re definitely employable skills, not (just) the actual skill of being an optician,” she said. “(I’m also learning) to navigate the workforce and being able to get along with my supervisors and my peers. All those were skills I learned here in the optical (program) so when I get out, I have everything to be successful when I re-enter society.”

According to Verburg, opticians are always in demand.

“The opportunities they have here are endless in the optical world. People are always going to need glasses so they’re always going to have a job with the skills they learn here if they want to use it,” he said.

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