Jelly Roll has officially gone “from convict to deputy.” This week, the rapper-turned-country music superstar was sworn in as a Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy with the Community Cares Task Force in Flint, Michigan — following a ribbon cutting at the Jelly Roll Music Studio at Genesee County Jail.

“This is the real deal,” Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson told Jelly Roll after swearing him in with the Oath of Office. “You walk into any facility now, you can tell them you’re a Deputy Sheriff from Genesee County.” Jelly Roll replied, “From convict to deputy,” while being given his badge and official Sheriff ID. 

Jelly Roll and Sheriff Swanson have worked closely together for years on the I.G.N.I.T.E. Program, designed “to reverse the cycle of generational incarceration through education.” Now, not only will inmates have the opportunity for rehabilitation through education, but they’ll also be able to explore their creative outlets in the Jelly Roll Music Studio.