Sheriff Perry Hall Detention Facility recognized for mental health and addiction recovery initiatives that reduce repeat offenders
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has received national recognition for the second time in three years for innovative programs designed to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society.
Sheriff Rick Staly and Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert accepted the 2025 Detention Facility Innovation Award from the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) on October 15 during the JAILCON25 Southern Regional Conference in Mobile, Alabama.
Award Recognition
The award honors detention facilities that demonstrate exceptional achievement in developing or enhancing operations aligned with their mission during the past year.
“It is an honor to receive this award and have the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility once again recognized as being on the leading-edge for correctional facilities in the country with inmate services,” Sheriff Staly said. “Our detention team and our partners deserve all the credit in the world for embracing the vision of helping inmates turn their lives around.”
The facility previously won the same award in 2022 for implementing two programs: the Successful Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Treatment (SMART) Program and the Homeward Bound Initiative.
Program Expansion and Results
Since 2022, both programs have expanded through partnerships with community organizations including EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, Flagler Technical College, Parkview Church, and Flagler Humane Society.
According to the sheriff’s office, few inmates who complete the programs have returned to jail, indicating success in reducing recidivism.
“To have our jail be a two-time winner of a national award for innovation shows that our team is constantly working to find new ways to deliver on our mission to improve inmate outcomes,” Chief Engert said. “If we can keep inmates from returning to jail, that’s a win for the inmate and the community and Sheriff Staly’s goal of reducing crime.”
Engert thanked staff members and community partners for their role in the programs’ success.
Additional Recognition
The Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility has received multiple honors for its correctional programs:
- 2023 Innovation Award for Medium Sized Jails from the American Jail Association
- Selection of Chief Engert to present on the jail’s programs at the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Winter Conference in February 2025
- Two-diamond accreditation from both the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care
Chief Engert also serves as a commissioner on the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, where he helps set standards for corrections facilities throughout the state.
Program Goals
Both award-winning programs focus on addressing mental health and addiction issues that often contribute to criminal behavior. The initiatives provide inmates with treatment, education, and support services designed to help them avoid returning to jail after release.
The programs reflect a growing national trend in corrections toward rehabilitation and treatment rather than punishment alone, particularly for inmates struggling with mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders.
The facility is located in Bunnell, Florida, and serves Flagler County.
