Jelly Roll returns to prison to inspire inmates: 'My life truly changed'

Jelly Roll returned to prison—but this time not as an inmate.

The country star recently visited California's San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, where he performed his autobiographical song Hands Up for incarcerated men in a powerful moment that reflected on his own troubled past.

The emotional music video opens with a heartfelt prayer before showing Jelly Roll entering the facility and arriving at the prison canteen with musical instruments.

The Grammy-winning singer then surprised inmates with a live performance, earning an enthusiastic response from the audience.

Reflecting on the experience in an Instagram post, Jelly Roll described the visit as one of the most meaningful moments of his career.

"Truly one of the most special things I've ever had the opportunity to do," he wrote.

"The moment my life truly changed is when I threw my hands up," he continued. "I know a lot of folks will hear this and remember their 'hands up' moment as well and that is making this that much cooler for me."

The singer, who has been open about serving time in prison earlier in his life, said returning to a correctional facility from a different perspective was deeply emotional.

"I remember being in the same kind of place all these incarcerated guys are in and what it took for me to finally throw my hands up. To get to do this with them is beyond words for me," he shared.

Jelly Roll also thanked the inmates and prison staff for welcoming him during the visit.

"A thousand thank-yous to everyone involved, especially the guys in the facility, San Quentin and every single staff member," he wrote.

Ending on a lighthearted note, the singer joked that the project might be his finest work yet.

"This may be the best video of my career, but maybe I've got recency bias lolol," he added.