Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

General Session

“I’m a product of this system not a victim” Jelly Roll wows conference goers with candid and moving appearance A n appearance by award-winning musician and songwriter Jelly Roll highlighted the General Session at the 154 th Congress of Correction in Nashville. The Davidson Ballroom B was filled to capac ity with the entire outer wall lined 5 to 6 deep awaiting the proceedings. President Denise Robinson led ACA’s top leaders into the ballroom in the traditional single file line. The program began with a soulful performance of the Star-Spangled Banner using just an acous tic guitar for accompaniment delivered by Kim Fox followed by the Honor Guard representing the Tennessee Department of Corrections and the Davidson County Sheriff’s office under the com mand of Cpl. Dennis McGill. Chaplain Shelia Hubbard from Bartlett, Ten nessee gave the invocation asking the assembly to “train to become stronger in supporting those who are under our care. “ Frank Strada, commissioner of Tennessee Department of Corrections and a co-chair of the host committee welcomed delegates from every state and 30 countries to Nashville advising them if they are going to try Nashville’s world-famous hot chicken they should start with the mild and work their way up. He also highlighted TDOC’s “focus on programs, both vocational and educa tional that are helping transform our offenders into productive citizens.”

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell talked to the attendees about his city and about Sheriff Daron Hall. O’Connell explained how he had been working with Sheriff Hall for years and summed up his work with Sheriff Hall by say ing “I think his most enduring legacy here in Nashville will be the care and compassion he has provided for those who battle mental illness and find themselves in jail all while ensuing Nashvil lians remain safe.” Speaking as the sponsors of the General Ses sion , Bridget Schlick Vice President of Marketing at Aramark Correctional Services told the crowd “We’ve graduated over 12,000 students each one having a story where someone believed in them more than they believed in themselves.” Dr. Joel Andrade Senior Expert and Vice Presi dent, Falcon Inc. declared that “our departments and agencies are under intense scrutiny” and how through partnerships with many in the room had “successes and outcomes we realize are amazing and incredibly inspiring.” Given the job of introducing the featured speaker, Sheriff Daron Hall used the opportunity to make the introduction in the form of a letter to Governor Bill Lee making an unusual request. “In my 22 years as a sheriff, I have never writ ten a governor asking for a pardon. Today that changes. I feel obligated to make this request on behalf of Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord” he began.

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Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

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