Jelly Roll Brought To Tears as He Joins Sheriff Chris Swanson for Special Presentation
It's safe to say that Jelly Roll and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson have become fast friends. The two met up in England this week as Swanson addressed the World Literacy Foundation to present information about his highly regarded IGNITE program.
Swanson's IGNITE program helps inmates obtain job skills and education to increase their chances of becoming successful once they're released from incarceration.
Jelly Roll Joins Sheriff Chris Swanson on Stage in England
Swanson was asked to speak at Oxford University for the World Literacy Foundation from April 6 - 9. The country music superstar joined Swanon on Tuesday (4/8) to speak of his visit to the Genesee County jail in 2023 when he learned about the IGNITE program.
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"He's doing this in a market that is underserved and under-cared for," Jelly Roll said, speaking about the residents of Flint who face extraordinary, everyday challenges. "When he told me his recidivism rate, I didn't believe him. I thought he was lying."
Jelly Roll appeared emotional as he spoke of his partnership with the sheriff and recalled being invited to Genesee County for an IGNITE graduation ceremony.
"You're gonna give these dudes caps and gowns?" Jelly Roll recalled asking the sheriff. "He was like, 'Dude, we're gonna bring the whole jail, and we're going to celebrate them.'"
Swanson Sends a Positive Message to Inmates
In the video below, the country music superstar went on to praise Swanson's IGNITE program, speaking of inmates receiving GEDs and certifications in other programs like welding and haircutting.
Jelly Roll, who earned his GED while incarcerated, considers himself a success story and praised Swanson for sending a positive message to inmates.
"It was sending a signal to the rest of the jail that goes 'You can - Yes!' where all we heard in jail was 'You can't - No!'"
Watch the video of Jelly Roll and Sheriff Chris Swanson below.
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