Jelly Roll Speaks at Minnesota Adult Detention Center While on Tour With Post Malone: “I Just Wanted To Be the Dad I Didn’t Have”

When it comes to inspiring others to change their lives, there is no better example than Jelly Roll. Once struggling with his life, the country singer found himself continuously in trouble with the law. Spending over a decade in and out of jail, Jelly Roll even learned he was going to be a father while behind bars. But thanks to his commitment to his family and his wife, Bunnie Xo, Jelly Roll produced a promising career in country music that changed his life. And even with the singer’s schedule completely booked, he still found time to speak to inmates at the Minnesota Adult Detention Center. 

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Although some singers and celebrities take time to help those struggling, nobody comes close to Jelly Roll. Even with a net worth of $12 million and hitting the road with Post Malone for the Big A** Stadium Tour, the country singer decided to stop by the detention center to hopefully encourage the men to seek a better life. 

Thrilled to have Jelly Roll on hand, the local Sheriff’s office shared the moment on Facebook. Posting pictures of the singer at the center, they wrote, “Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is still reeling from a surprise visit this afternoon at the Adult Detention Center. Ahead of his concert tonight, Jelly Roll made a special appearance inside our jail, meeting the sheriff, staff, and sharing his inspirational story with detainees. He spoke to detainees and described how he turned his life around after locked up for years and becoming a father.”

[RELATED: Jelly Roll Raps Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” to Detroit Crowd—and What Happened Next Left Fans Shocked]

Jelly Roll Gifted Key To The Jail

Sharing a snippet of his speech to the inmates, Jelly Roll apparently revealed he didn’t care about becoming famous more than he cared about being a father. “When I was 13 years old I caught my first criminal charge… I would spend the next thirteen years in and out of the system.” He continued, “I didn’t go home to become rich and famous. I just wanted to be the dad I didn’t have.”

Thankful for Jelly Roll’s time, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office decided to give the rising star a key to the jail. Before fans started to wonder, the key was just a commemorative gift that did not really grant access to the jail. 

Wanting inmates to make the most of their time at the facility, Sheriff Dawanna Witt told the men, “Jail time shouldn’t be wasted time. Jelly Roll is a great example of how jail programs can change lives.”

(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)