Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison

by Louis Bourgeois

Writing From Parchman Prison features writings and artwork by incarcerated men at Mississippi State Penitentiary.

219 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2024

Reviews

[Louis Bourgeois · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Oxford, MS non-profit art organization, VOX PRESS, has released a collection of prison writings, Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison (VOX PRESS, 2024). The book is the culmination of 3 years of working with incarcerated students through VOX’s prison outreach program, Prison Writes Initiative. The collection is comprised of writings from over 30 inmates housed in Unit 29 at Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman Farm). The book delves into the aftereffects of the infamous riots in Unit 29 from December 2019 through April of 2020, and how those housed there deal with the conditions of trying to live in one of the country’s most notorious prison facilities.

Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison, is available at VOX Books, at www.voxpress.org, on Amazon, and selected book stores.

VOX PRESS is a 501 (c) 3 arts organization based in Oxford, Mississippi. Its mission is to encourage, promote, and provide opportunities for the creation and public presentation of literature, art, and other creative works by individuals and groups traditionally neglected by the mainstream publishing industry, the academy, and other public venues and institutions.
Visit our website at www.voxpress.org.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking....but not surprising especially since this is set in Mississippi...the state that refuses to advance in basic human care. There is still no air conditioning in the majority of this prison for example. After reading this, it's no wonder the name Parchman still causes fear.

[Michael McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mississippi prison realism that delves into the surreal, and existential, milieu of daily life in Parchman’s infamous Unit 29.

“A hostile environment filled with as many broken, lonely and lost people just trying to maintain a purpose. Underachievers and complete failures in life. Imagine urine, fan motors, random fires, floods, arguments, childish behavior, and sometimes aggressive behavior from people who you don’t even know. Never ending floods and smoke keeps things interesting – never a dull moment…

I’m here forever.”