Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert is the new chair of the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. Commissioners elected him at their October 21 meeting, and he will serve a two-year term.
Engert has sat on the commission since 2022. He most recently served as vice chair.
As chair, Engert will help guide the commission as it sets policy, directs the Florida Corrections Accreditation Office and decides the accreditation status of participating agencies.
Outgoing Chair Peyton C. Grinnell, the Lake County sheriff, handed over the gavel. St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick also serves on the commission, along with sheriffs and corrections leaders from Broward, Hardee, Collier, Pasco, Hernando and Indian River counties.
Sheriff Staly and Engert respond
“Chief Engert’s election as chair reflects the confidence corrections leaders across Florida have in his experience, integrity and commitment to excellence,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “His leadership will help advance professional correctional standards, accountability and public safety throughout our state, and I am proud to see him represent the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in this important role.”
“I am honored to serve as Chairman of the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission and proud to represent the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and our dedicated detention team on a statewide level,” said Chief Engert. “I look forward to advancing professionalism, accountability and excellence in Florida corrections.”
What the commission does
The commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that runs Florida’s voluntary corrections accreditation program. The program measures local correctional and detention facilities, pretrial agencies and probation programs against national and state professional standards. Those standards aim to promote effective operations, accountability and safety.
Twelve volunteer members make up the commission. They represent sheriffs, jail administrators, pretrial professionals and probation professionals. They set accreditation policy, oversee the Florida Accreditation Office and decide whether an agency meets the requirements.
A correctional facility seeking accreditation must meet all applicable mandatory standards and at least 90% of applicable nonmandatory standards. Accreditation lasts three years. After that, the facility must go through reassessment to keep its status.
Flagler jail accredited since 2018
The Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility first earned accreditation in 2018 under Staly. It has been re-accredited every three years since.
“The community should be proud of our award-winning detention facility and to know the caliber of our detention team serving the community,” Staly said.