A New Release Exploring Life Behind the Walls of Parchman Prison

A New Release Exploring Life Behind the Walls of Parchman Prison

As part of the Prison Writes Initiative, the book captures voices from Unit 29, the prison’s most isolated section. The writings span three years of collaboration and were guided by VOX PRESS Executive Director Louis Bourgeois, who has facilitated creative writing workshops at Parchman for over a decade.

Navigating a Difficult but Essential Conversation

Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison draws attention to pressing issues such as the psychological effects of confinement, mental health challenges, and the systemic neglect of incarcerated individuals. The book also reflects on the infamous 2019–2020 riots at Parchman, offering a first-hand account of the violence and its aftermath.

While navigating sensitive topics, the collection avoids sensationalism by focusing on personal narratives, offering deeply introspective reflections on survival, resilience, and human dignity. These stories aim to humanize incarcerated individuals, making a powerful statement about the need for reform and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.

The Prison Writes Initiative: Empowering Marginalized Voices

Unit 29 is the latest publication from VOX PRESS’s Prison Writes Initiative, which has been creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals to express themselves through literature since 2002. The initiative works to amplify voices often overlooked by mainstream discourse, fostering dialogue around mass incarceration and the systemic challenges it presents.

Louis Bourgeois, Executive Director of VOX PRESS, has played an instrumental role in this project, building trust with inmates and providing a creative outlet for their voices. His dedication to prison education and advocacy is reflected in the authenticity and depth of the writings in this collection.

A Call to Action for Prison Reform

Through Unit 29, VOX PRESS highlights the urgent need to address systemic issues in U.S. prisons, including overcrowding, lack of mental health resources, and institutional violence. By presenting raw and unvarnished accounts of life behind bars, the book challenges societal perceptions of incarcerated individuals and calls attention to the need for humane reforms in the criminal justice system.

Readers are encouraged to engage with the narratives in Unit 29 as part of the broader conversation on prison reform. The collection serves as both a literary contribution and a call to action, underlining the importance of education and creative expression as pathways for healing and growth.

Availability

Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison is available for purchase through VOX PRESS’s website (www.voxpress.org), Amazon, and select bookstores.

About VOX PRESS
VOX PRESS is a nonprofit arts organization based in Oxford, Mississippi, dedicated to supporting marginalized communities through literature, art, and other creative projects. Its Prison Writes Initiative provides creative writing opportunities to incarcerated individuals, fostering expression and amplifying voices often excluded from mainstream publishing. Since its inception in 2002, VOX PRESS has published several volumes of inmate writings as part of its commitment to empowering those whose stories are rarely told.

Media Contact
Louis Bourgeois
Executive Director, VOX PRESS
Phone: +1 662-816-8058
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.voxpress.org
Facebook: Louis Bourgeois on Facebook