Date:Wednesday, July 22, 2026

On Monday, July 20, 2026, four Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility inmates graduated from the Basic Auto Body Collision and Prep for Painting program offered in partnership with Flagler Technical College and Celico Auto Body through the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility’s Homeward Bound Initiative.

From left to right: Flagler Technical College Director Renee Swaggerty, Court and Detention Services Division Chief Dan Engert, Celico Auto Body owner Carlo Celico, Moises Ocasio, Robert Cone, Timothy Nash, Deputy Jeffrey Meyer, Sheriff Rick Staly, and Cmdr. Louis Miceli. Not pictured: Kyle Bonino

This course is the latest of five courses offered through the Homeward Bound Initiative, which is designed to help inmates gain the technical skills they need to fill entry-level positions for in-demand careers upon their release from the detention facility. Other courses offered include Vinyl Graphics Application, Food Service Management/Culinary, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) pre-apprenticeship, and Electrical pre-apprenticeship.

“Like our other programs offered through the Homeward Bound Initiative, participants meet twice a week and receive a combination of classroom and hands-on training. Upon successful completion of the program, inmates earn a certificate of completion from Flagler Technical College,” said Court and Detention Services Division Chief Dan Engert. “These inmates are the first to graduate from this program, but they won’t be the last.”

As part of the 12-week course, inmates Moises Ocasio, Robert Cone, Timothy Nash, and Kyle Bonino gained experience restoring FCSO’s 1954 GMC Paddy Wagon. The vintage police transport vehicle received a major overhaul complete with a refurbished interior, auto body repair, priming, and FCSO decals.

Newly restored Flagler County Sheriff’s Office 1954 GMC Paddy Wagon

“These programs are a benefit to not only participating inmates but also our business community because they provide a skilled pipeline of workers in industries with strong local demand,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “By choosing to participate in these programs, these inmates are taking significant strides so they can become productive members of our community rather than repeat offenders caught in a revolving door at the Green Roof Inn. A special thank you to Celico Auto Body and Flagler Technical College for partnering with us to turn inmate lives around.”

“There is no substitute for hands-on experience, and I am proud to open our doors to give these inmates a second chance by providing them with the tools they need and an opportunity to work alongside experienced technicians so that they may find success in the workplace,” said Celico Auto Body owner Carlo Celico.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the autobody field has a projected job growth rate of about 2% nationwide through 2034. The median salary for auto body technicians is currently just over $51,000 annually with experienced technicians earning more than $87,000 annually.

About FTC: Flagler Technical College is your local resource for career and community education. FTC is the adult division of the Flagler County School District and accredited through the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and focuses on career and technical education programs for high-demand trades to meet the business and industry needs in Flagler and surrounding counties. Students learn practical specialized skills from industry professionals in a personalized and hands-on learning environment. For more information, visit our website at flaglertech.edu.