PHOTOS: Country singer Jelly Roll performs concert at Salem prison to a crowd of 'smiles'

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Country singer Jelly Roll performed a concert at a Salem prison that had inmates and staff members in smiles.

The Oregon State Penitentiary shared with KOIN 6 News photos of the concert, held on Labor Day.

Other than the rapper-turned-country artist known for songs delving into his troubled past, like "Save Me," Jacquie Roar and Huntley — who were both on "The Voice" — also performed.

The artists performed to an audience of about 600-700 adults in custody who gained the privilege of attending for good behavior, an Oregon State Penitentiary spokesperson told KOIN 6 News. Most of those who couldn't attend in person could watch it live via their in-cell TVs.

The concert was a success thanks to coordination by prison staff and some adults in custody who are part of the prison's media team, officials said.

"Because of the collaboration and teamwork of OSP staff and AICs, the event was incredibly impactful to everyone involved, especially those who are incarcerated," said Oregon State Penitentiary Public Information Officer Stephanie Lane.

“The energy of the yard was palpable," one prisoner said. "The joy I got from the concert was looking out on the crowd and seeing the smiles on the faces of both AICs and staff."

“I am looking out into the audience and seeing people smile who haven’t smiled in ten years,” another incarcerated person said.

Other prisoners said it was hard to express the "depth" of gratitude for the concert, with one calling it "the best day I've had in 30 years of incarceration."

According to Jelly Roll, it was the first live music event held in the prison yard in 20 years.