Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP), also known as Parchman Farm, is the oldest and largest correctional facility in the state of Mississippi. The prison is located on approximately 18,000 acres of land in Sunflower County. It has a capacity of 2,542 beds and is home to seven different housing units, ranging in size from 56 beds at Unit 42, which is the hospital, to 856 beds at Unit 30.
The prison has a rich and controversial history, dating back to its opening in 1901. In its early years, Parchman Farm was notorious for its brutal and inhumane treatment of prisoners, who were forced to work long hours in the fields under the scorching Mississippi sun. Over the years, the facility has undergone numerous prison reforms and improvements, but it remains a place of both hope and despair for the thousands of men who are currently incarcerated there.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 2,542 |
| Physical Address | MS Hwy 49 West Parchman, MS 38738 United States |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 1057 MS Hwy 49 West Parchman, MS 38738 United States |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | 662-745-6611 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
The Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, is the oldest prison in Mississippi, opening its doors in 1901. This prison is located on approximately 18,000 acres in Sunflower County.
Establishment
The prison was established due to the need for a centralized prison system in Mississippi. Prior to the establishment of Parchman Farm, there were several prisons scattered throughout the state. The prison was named after Governor Anselm J. McLaurin’s predecessor, Governor Andrew H. Longino, who was instrumental in the establishment of the prison.
Convict Leasing
Parchman Farm has a dark history of convict leasing. After the Civil War, Mississippi leased out convicts to private businesses, which led to the exploitation of prisoners. The inmates were forced to work in inhumane prison conditions, and many of them died due to a lack of medical care and exposure to the elements. The convict leasing system was abolished in 1906, but Parchman Farm continued to use prisoners for labor until the 1960s.
The conditions at Parchman Farm were so bad that they were compared to slavery. In fact, the book “Worse than Slavery: Parchman Farm and the Ordeal of Jim Crow Justice” by David M. Oshinsky provides a detailed account of the brutal treatment of prisoners at Parchman Farm. The book describes how prisoners were subjected to physical abuse, forced labor, and even torture.
In recent years, Parchman Farm has been the subject of a lawsuit due to the inhumane conditions at the prison. In 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against the Mississippi Department of Corrections, alleging that the conditions at Parchman Farm were unconstitutional. The lawsuit claimed that the prison was overcrowded, understaffed, and lacked basic necessities such as running water and functioning toilets.
Despite its dark past and present, Parchman Farm remains an important part of Mississippi’s history. It serves as a reminder of the injustices that have been inflicted upon prisoners in the past and present.
Facilities
The Mississippi State Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison located on approximately 18,000 acres at Parchman in Sunflower County. It has 2,542 beds, 52 support buildings, and seven different housing units, ranging in size from 56 beds at Unit 42, which is the hospital, to 856 beds at Unit 30. The facility is divided into six custody levels: Death Row, Protective Custody, Close Custody, General Population, Hospital, and Female Prisoners.
Custody Levels
The custody levels at MSP range from Death Row to General Population. Death Row is a maximum-security unit that houses male inmates who have been sentenced to death. Protective Custody is designed for inmates who require protection from other inmates. Close Custody is for inmates who have demonstrated an inability to live in a general population setting. General Population is for inmates who are not considered high-risk.
Death Row
Death Row is a maximum-security unit that houses male inmates who have been sentenced to death. The unit has 288 beds and is located in Unit 29. Death Row inmates are housed in single cells and are allowed one hour of recreation time per day.
Protective Custody
Protective Custody is designed for inmates who require protection from other inmates. The unit has 84 beds and is located in Unit 32. Inmates in Protective Custody are housed in single cells and are allowed one hour of recreation time per day.
Close Custody
Close Custody is for inmates who have demonstrated an inability to live in a general population setting. The unit has 416 beds and is located in Unit 30. Inmates in Close Custody are housed in single cells and are allowed one hour of recreation time per day.
General Population
General Population is for inmates who are not considered high-risk. The unit has 1,512 beds and is located in Units 29, 31, and 32. Inmates in General Population are housed in double cells and are allowed two hours of recreation time per day.
Hospital
The hospital is located in Unit 42 and has 56 beds. It provides medical care to all inmates at MSP.
Administration
The administration of the Mississippi State Penitentiary is overseen by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). The Superintendent of MSP is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility, including managing staff, ensuring the safety and security of inmates, and overseeing activities and programs.
Superintendent
The Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the overall operation of the facility, including the management of staff, the safety and security of inmates, and the implementation of programs and activities designed to help inmates rehabilitate and prepare for re-entry into society.
The Superintendent is also responsible for ensuring that MSP operates in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. This includes overseeing the implementation of policies and procedures related to safety, security, and inmate care.
Mississippi Department of Corrections
The Mississippi Department of Corrections is responsible for overseeing all state correctional facilities, including MSP. MDOC is responsible for setting policies and procedures related to inmate care, safety, and security, as well as overseeing the implementation of these policies and procedures at MSP and other prison facilities.
MDOC also provides oversight and support to MSP staff, including training, resources, and guidance on best practices. Additionally, MDOC is responsible for overseeing the implementation of programs and activities designed to help inmates rehabilitate and prepare for re-entry into society.
In summary, the administration of MSP is overseen by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with the Superintendent of MSP responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility. Together, these entities work to ensure that MSP operates in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations while providing a safe and secure environment for inmates and staff.
Inmate Life
Inmates at Mississippi State Penitentiary have access to various programs and services to help them during their incarceration. This section will cover some of the most important aspects of inmate life at the facility.
Inmates can receive mail at the facility, and they are encouraged to keep in touch with family and friends. However, all incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection, and any contraband will be confiscated. Inmates are also not allowed to receive packages from home.
GED
The facility offers a GED program for inmates who want to earn their high school equivalency diploma. The program is designed to help inmates improve their job prospects and increase their chances of success upon release.
Commissary
Inmates can purchase items from the commissary, including food, hygiene products, and clothing. The prices are reasonable, and inmates are allowed to spend up to $100 per week.
Visiting Hours
Inmates are allowed to have visitors on certain days and times. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list, and they must follow all facility rules and regulations. For more information call 662-745-6611.
Last Name
Inmates at Mississippi State Penitentiary are referred to by their last name, rather than their first name. This is a common practice in correctional facilities.
Farming Support Unit
The facility has a farming support unit, where inmates can work and learn new skills. The unit includes a dairy, beef, and swine operation, as well as a vegetable garden.
Adult Basic Education
Inmates who need to improve their reading and writing skills can enroll in the Adult Basic Education program. The program is designed to help inmates improve their literacy and increase their chances of success upon release.
Telephone
Inmates are allowed to make phone calls, but they must follow all facility rules and regulations. Calls are limited to 15 minutes, and inmates are not allowed to make calls to victims or witnesses in their cases.
Inmate Mailing Address
Inmates at Mississippi State Penitentiary have a specific mailing address that must be used for all incoming and outgoing mail. The address is:
- Inmate Name, MDOC #
- Unit ___, Housing Unit
- P.O. Box 1057
- Parchman, MS 38738
Stockades
The facility has several stockades, which are dormitory-style housing units. Inmates in the stockades are allowed more freedom of movement than those in other housing units, but they must still follow all facility rules and regulations.
Overall, life as an inmate at Mississippi State Penitentiary can be challenging, but the facility offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates improve their lives and increase their chances of success upon release.
Controversies
Violence
Mississippi State Penitentiary has been plagued by incidents of violence for decades. In recent years, the Justice Department has found that conditions at the prison violate the Constitution, and former employees have been charged with assaulting inmates. In 2016, a former deputy warden at Parchman, Melvin Hilson, pleaded guilty to violating an inmate’s civil rights by repeatedly striking him and knocking him to the ground.
Executions
Mississippi State Penitentiary has a long history of carrying out executions. The prison has a gas chamber, which was last used in 1989. Since then, all executions have been carried out by lethal injection. In recent years, the state has faced legal challenges to its use of lethal injection.
Solitary Confinement
Mississippi State Penitentiary has been criticized for its use of solitary confinement. In 2019, a federal judge ruled that the prison’s use of long-term solitary confinement violated the Constitution. The judge ordered the prison to improve its conditions and reduce the use of solitary confinement.
Freedom Riders
In 1961, a group of civil rights activists known as the Freedom Riders were arrested and sent to Mississippi State Penitentiary. The activists were protesting segregation on interstate buses. The prison held the activists for several weeks, and they were subjected to harsh treatment and violence.
Arrests
Mississippi State Penitentiary has been the subject of numerous arrests and complaints over the years. In recent years, former employees have been charged with assaulting inmates, and the prison has faced legal challenges over its conditions and use of solitary confinement.
In conclusion, Mississippi State Penitentiary has a long history of controversy and has faced numerous legal challenges over the years. The prison has been criticized for its conditions, use of solitary confinement, and incidents of violence. Despite efforts to improve conditions, the prison continues to face challenges in providing a safe and humane environment for its inmates.