TAMPA, Fla. — While jail is not meant to be fun, it can be educational. 

“These ladies here, they are going to show y’all," said a deputy to a large crowd waiting to see the skills a group of 10 inmates learned over six weeks. 

The inmates are all women, and they just received their automotive services certification. 

Devon Coble has been in and out of jail for close to a decade. While she had heard of vocational programs inside the Falkenburg Road Jail, she never took advantage. 

“Honestly, I found out about it the last time I was in jail, but I got out too soon to enroll," said Coble. 

Her most recent arrest changed her mindset. She finally feels ready to work toward a real change in herself and behavior. 

“I have never taken advantage of any opportunity that was ever given to me in life," she said. "And I did the hair braiding course here. I have got my OSHA 10 certification, my forklift certification, my CPR certification, my blood-born pathogen certification, and now my automotive certification." 

So far, 904 inmates have gone through vocational training at the jail since 2020. Of those, 78% have not been arrested and sent back to jail. 

“These programs are proven; the recidivism rate is extremely low," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “To watch the change in their lives, knowing going forward they are going to make a difference in our community, you can only imagine the gratification that comes along with that.”

For Coble, her 'why' to get better is clear.

“My son," she said clearly. "I want to be a better person, not only for me, but for him.”

She expects to leave jail Sept. 3, and shortly after get a job working in the automotive industry.