Theadora Ricker smiles upon inspecting the completion of an auto body repair to her Volkswagen Jetta, which sustained major front-end damage in a crash. She had the work done at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Rountree Regional Occupational Program Body Shop under the supervision of instructor Juan Jara (shown). (Photos by Tarmo Hannula)

A little more than a year ago, Theadora Ricker nearly destroyed her car. On Friday, it looked brand-new.

After a recent rear-end collision on Highway 1 crushed the front end of her 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, she was dismayed to find that the insurance money she received didn’t come close to covering the repair work.

When she called the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Regional Occupational Program, however, she found the estimate was much more reasonable.

On Friday, after a three-week wait, she saw her fully repaired car for the first time.

“Oh, my God,” she said, a huge smile on her face. “It looks nicer than it did when I brought it in!”

Ricker said the repair, estimated by other body shops at $4,000, cost her $2,000.

The program, located in the Santa Cruz County Rountree Detention Facility in Watsonville, teaches inmates several aspects of the auto repair industry.

Under the program, anyone who needs mechanical work, auto body repair or a host of other services can come to the jail for drastically reduced prices. Instructor Juan Jara said he focuses on education, customer service and quality.

“We do full restoration, and we don’t cut any corners — I don’t accept anythting less,” Jara said. “We are cheaper than anybody else, and the quality of our work is just as good, if not better.”

Santa Cruz Auto Parts owner Shannon Fry said he helped the ROP program transition to water-based paints and install a $30,000 computer, a complete mixing station and a scale for mixing colors.

“I see it as a service to my community,” Fry said. “Helping these men at Rountree develop a trade only makes sense. It’s a way of making our community a friendlier place.”

Fry, who has more than 15 years of experience with DuPont paints, said he has helped out at similar programs at Elmwood Jail in San Jose and Salinas Valley State Prison.

“You know, I’ve run into some of these guys who, once they were out of custody, and they’ve approached me and thanked me for helping them. Giving back is such a great feeling.”

Fry said a representative from his company checks in with the ROP program at Rountree on a weekly basis.

Jeremy Totten, 36, said he’s learned a great deal from the program.

“It’s gotten me back in the habit of working every day, and back to real life,” he said.

Totten, a sheet metal worker, said he will use his newfound skills to repair his vehicles and those of his friends and family. And maybe, he said, to earn some extra money.

Jara shows the men how to do body work and engine repair and mix and apply paint.

“If you can learn this stuff, you can get a job anywhere in California,” he said.

For those looking for a new career, the program can be a perfect jumping-off point. Jara estimated that an apprentice auto body worker earns as much as $15 per hour, while an experienced one can get $30.

“I have every intention of doing this as a career,” said Anthony Stull, 23.

When he is released in May, Stull plans to take welding classes and eventually attend a technical school.

“I couldn’t ask for a better teacher,” Stull said of Jara. “The man knows what he’s doing. I’m definitely grateful to be here.”

Because the program generates its own revenue stream, the money can be put back into the Santa Cruz County fund to finance further programs such as GED classes, computer courses and substance abuse counseling.

The inmates at the minimum-security facility have largely been convicted of nonviolent crimes, many of them drug-related. Inmates say the program gives them job skills, the possibility of a new career and the opportunity to take pride in their work.

“I don’t do it for the money,” Jara said. “I do it to change people’s lives.”

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For information on auto repair services through the program, call Juan Jara at 724-4888 or 566-1646, or visit the facility at 100 Rountree Lane in Watsonville Monday through Friday during business hours and ask for Jara.



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