Why Jelly Roll Plans to Gift Grammy to Local Jail: ‘There’s Life After’

Published: February 13, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Three-time Grammy Award winner Jelly Roll plans to gift one of his Grammys to a local jail to give hope to people in a situation he once found himself in.

“I haven’t said this publicly yet. So, I’m going to break it with you,” Jelly Roll told Entertainment Tonight recently of his trophies’ fates. “I’m going to obviously keep one at the studio ’cause that was my dream. And I think I’m going to give the second one to [Davidson] County Sheriff Daron Hall to put at the jail so people know that there’s life after. And then one goes to [wife] Bunny.”

The trophy is headed to a county jail in his hometown.

At the 2026 Grammys, Jelly Roll won Best Contemporary Country Album for his album Beautifully Broken. He took home another for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with Brandon Lake for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and a third for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey for “Amen.”

While on stage accepting the Best Contemporary Country Album, the singer reflected on his time in prison and celebrated how Jesus redeemed his life.

“I know they’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out. First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I’m listening, Lord. I am listening, Lord,” Jelly Roll began. “There was a time in my life, y’all, that I was I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There was days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human.”

Before fame, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, spent time in prison for aggravated robbery and various drug-related offenses.

“There was a moment in my life where all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size in a 6×8-foot cell, and I believed that those two things could change my life,” he continued. “I believe that music has the power to change my life and God has the power to change my life.”

“I want to tell y’all right now, Jesus is for everybody,” Jelly Roll emphasized. “Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him. I love you, Lord.”