Jelly Roll makes pit stop to visit inmates in jail while on tour

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - Jelly Roll is on tour, but recently stopped by a jail to visit inmates and play music.

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, visited Chesterfield Jail’s HARP program, which stands for Helping Addicts Recover Progressively, started in the jail in 2016. It is a jail-based treatment and recovery program for inmates who struggle with substance use disorder.

Jelly Roll has been open about the time he spent incarcerated. He says he spent about 10 years behind bars for a robbery charge and struggled with addiction. He said before becoming a musician, he was in and out of jail about 40 times.

Now, Jelly Roll regularly visits jails and prisons nationwide to support those looking for a second chance.