The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) has selected the Flagler County facility to receive the 2025 Detention Facility Innovation Award–marking the second time the jail has received this honor.

The award will be formally presented during the JAILCON25 Southern Regional Conference in Mobile, Alabama, on October 15.

This prestigious recognition highlights facilities that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in enhancing correctional operations or facility features aligned with the mission of their respective Sheriff’s Office. For Flagler County, the accolade is a testament to years of reform and innovation spearheaded by Sheriff Rick Staly and Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert.

“Since I became Sheriff, it has been my goal to make our jail one of the premier facilities not just in our state, but the entire country,” said Sheriff Staly. “This award proves we are leading the way in corrections and rehabilitation.”

The jail previously received the NIJO Innovation Award in 2022 for its implementation of the SMART Program–Successful Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Treatment–and the Homeward Bound Initiative, both designed to reduce recidivism and support long-term recovery for inmates. Since then, the programs have expanded in scope and impact.

A recent evaluation by the University of North Florida found that 69% of inmates who completed the SMART Program maintained recovery after release, with a significantly lower re-arrest rate compared to non-participants.

Expanding Rehabilitation Through Community Partnerships

Key to the facility’s success has been a focus on community engagement and innovative programming. The SMART Program, offered in partnership with EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, now incorporates enrichment opportunities such as faith-based initiatives and animal therapy.

In December 2024, the jail collaborated with Parkview Church Palm Coast to launch Joy Beyond Walls, a holiday program that helps inmates reconnect with their children. This partnership continued in 2025 with The Hope Project, an initiative offering inmates access to worship services and spiritual guidance.

In another creative effort, the jail partnered with the Flagler Humane Society in July to introduce a kitten-fostering program. Inmates care for orphaned kittens, gaining a sense of responsibility and emotional connection–factors shown to support addiction recovery and reduce disciplinary incidents in correctional environments.

Workforce Training for a Fresh Start

The Homeward Bound Initiative has also undergone significant expansion. What began with training in vinyl graphics and HVAC now includes six programs: culinary arts, electrician pre-apprenticeship, automotive body repair, and sewing and alterations. The initiative also offers a General Education Development (GED) program, giving inmates the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma while incarcerated.

These programs are run in collaboration with Flagler Technical College and aim to provide inmates with credentials for employment in high-demand fields post-release.

“We’re very proud of all that we’ve accomplished to help inmates succeed,” said Chief Engert. “These programs are about changing lives and building safer communities.”

National Recognition Continues

In addition to the NIJO awards, the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility received the 2023 Innovation Award for Medium-Sized Jails from the American Jail Association. Earlier this year, Chief Engert was invited to speak at the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Winter Conference, where he presented the facility’s innovative rehabilitation strategies to corrections professionals from across the country.

The facility is also one of the few in the nation to hold dual accreditations from both the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care–earning it a two-diamond accreditation status.

“As Sheriff, I’m proud of our team for embracing a model that’s not just about detention, but transformation,” Staly said. “We’ve shown that tough-on-crime and compassionate rehabilitation can work hand-in-hand.”