Jelly Roll speaks at juvenile justice campus groundbreaking

A new juvenile justice complex is closer to reality following a groundbreaking ceremony last week that included a Nashville celebrity cameo.

Zoom in: Country star Jelly Roll has spoken often about his time in Nashville's juvenile detention center — he even wore a jacket featuring an image of the building during this summer's CMA Fest.

• He was on hand alongside elected officials to celebrate the new facility.

What he's saying: "That thing hadn't changed nothing but the paint in 30 years," he said, according to NewsChannel 5 . "I personally know: I was there!"

Catch up quick: The existing Woodland Street facility has had dire infrastructure problems for years. The new campus will have more room for security improvements and service areas for delinquent youth and families in crisis.

• "A lot of these kids are a victim of their circumstances and where they came from," Jelly Roll said. "This is a really cool chance to change things."