Parchman Farm

1. It opened in 1901 Parchman Farm It covers about 20,000 acres and 46 square miles It is the oldest prison in the state of Mississippi (The Mississippi State Penitentiary) It was and still is the only maximum security prison in Mississippi The prison got its name from the original warden, Jim Parchman

2. Some Background • For decades the prison operated essentially as a for-profit cotton plantation; prisoners also grew their own food, made their own clothing, raised livestock, and even served as armed guards or “trusty shooters”—prisoners that were trusted to keep order • Originally, it was only for young, black men • Their treatment was very harsh, and they often endured whippings • They were forced to work long days in the hot sun with little rest • No one was ever killed there because the citizens of Sunflower County didn’t want their county to be known as the “death county” • Instead, there was a traveling electric chair that was used in the county of the offender. • Eventually, in the early 1950s, a gas chamber was built there.

3. The original warden, Jim Parchman, lived in this home on the property of the farm.

4. -Buildings like this are where the prisoners stayed. -The living conditions were very harsh. Mostly, prisoners lived in overcrowded cells that were incredibly dirty and unsanitary.

5. The prisoners at work…

6. Parchman Farm inspired many blues songs. The most famous is called “Parchman Farm Blues” by Bukka White Oh you, listen you menI don't mean no harmOh-oh listen you menI don't mean no harmIf you wanna do goodYou better stay off old Parchman Farm, yeahWe go to work in the mo'ninJust a-dawn of dayWe go to work in the mo'ninJust a-dawn of dayJust at the settin' of the sunThat's when da work is done, yeahOoh, I'm down on old Parchman FarmI sho' wanna go back home, yeahI'm down on the old Parchman FarmBut I sho' wanna go back home, yeahBut I hope someday I will over come. Judge gimme me life this morn'inDown on Parchman FarmJudge gimme me life this morn'inDown on Parchman FarmI wouldn't hate it so badBut I left my wife in mournin'Four years, goodbye wifeOh you have done goneOoh, goodbye wifeOh you have done goneBut I hope somedayYou will hear my lonesome song, yeah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM23S12LXaE