“From the depths of despair emerges a flicker of hope.” A man reflecting on his challenging decade behind bars shares the news of his potential transition to general population after spending ten and a half years in solitary confinement. This newfound opportunity represents a taste of freedom he has not experienced in years, marking a significant improvement in his living conditions as he works toward eventual release from prison.
This insight is part of a broader collection featuring art and writings from individuals held in Unit 29 of the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, a facility notorious for housing the most dangerous inmates. The Mississippi Prison Writes Initiative, a nonprofit that focuses on enhancing writing skills among incarcerated individuals, published a compilation titled “Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison” in November.
The book not only provides a platform for these creators but also serves as an educational experience for readers. Louis Bourgeois, executive director of the initiative, expressed his goal of documenting the profound human suffering experienced in incarceration. He emphasized that extreme conditions elicit stark responses, allowing readers to evaluate the book’s authenticity for themselves.
The essays reflect the unvarnished realities that led these authors to the state’s most infamous prison unit. For instance, Anthony Wilson recounts his experiences leading to his confinement, including a community work center escape that culminated in a violent crime. In his piece, “From the Depths of the Beast,” he articulates his regret, noting, “Not a day goes by I don’t wish I could rewind the hands of time for the two of us and bring back life. Hers and mine together.”
Unit 29 accommodates around 700 men, with an average age of 38, as recorded by the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Some of these individuals were incarcerated as teenagers or young adults and continue to serve lengthy sentences. The population includes men as young as 18 and as old as 78, with an average sentence length of 25 years.
Bourgeois has been dedicated to teaching writing in prisons for more than two decades, beginning at the Marshall County Correctional Facility. By 2010, he played a pivotal role in establishing VOX PRESS, a nonprofit initiative aimed at elevating marginalized voices through publication. Through this organization, he has released several collections, including those highlighting the works of incarcerated women.
The newly released book features writings from over 30 inmates compiled over three years, many of whom began their writing journeys only recently. Bourgeois describes their collective effort as “a masterpiece of prison realism,” capturing the struggles of surviving life in a place like Parchman Prison. His approach emphasized the importance of raw honesty rather than perfection in their narratives.
Unit 29 also contains the state’s death row, where 34 inmates are kept largely in solitary confinement while awaiting the outcomes of their appeals. One of these men, Steven Wilbanks, was sentenced to death for the 2013 murder of Zacharias McClendon. Wilbanks, initially a student, shot McClendon in an attempt to steal money and credit cards. Although he won a retrial on appeal, he shared a poignant essay about living with his past scars, reflecting on the deep emotional impact of his actions and the rigid realities of his sentencing.
The prison faced significant turmoil in December 2020, with riots erupting and resulting in multiple deaths among the inmate population. Reports highlighted deteriorating living conditions, prompting a federal investigation which revealed violations of constitutional standards. Despite promises from Governor Tate Reeves to shut down Unit 29, it remains functional as authorities continue to plan renovations.
Describing life in Unit 29, inmate Derrick Willis provides vivid imagery of the chaotic environment in his essay “G-Building Reflections.” He notes the dismal conditions, comparing the numerous challenges involved with enduring punctuated moments of violence and dysfunction, which complicate both daily living and familial connections.
This past summer, temperatures rose above 100 degrees, casting a harsh spotlight on the challenges of life within the prison’s concrete walls. Though some areas of Parchman now have air conditioning, Unit 29 has yet to receive such updates, leaving its inhabitants to swelter in the heat, intensifying their already dire circumstances.
Amidst these conditions, the prevalence of mental health issues is alarming, affecting approximately 40 percent of the incarcerated population. Documented cases of suicide in Mississippi prisons have drawn attention to an urgent need for improved mental health resources. Among the deceased is Victor Perryman, whose struggles were echoed in his poetry, articulating the emotional toll of imprisonment.
Bourgeois remains connected with many authors featured in the collection, some still at Unit 29, while others have been relocated or released. With ongoing commitment, VOX Press aims to amplify these stories, providing a voice to those previously unheard. “The entire mission of our organization is focused on letting the silenced express themselves,” he remarked, ensuring the narratives continue to resonate and inform.