Parchman Farm - MS State Penitentary
I can't tell you how big Parchman Farm is. I can tell you that it takes exactly 15 minutes to cross the place from one end to the other if you traveling at about 20 or 25 mph. Because that's exactly the amount of time we were told we had to cross it by. That by a guard who had his orders, and made certain we had ours.
Parchman Farm is otherwise known as Mississippi State Penitentary. All told there are about a dozen or so small buildings surrounded by barbed wire and chain link fence. But by golly that's not even a tenth of the actual prison. It's completely encapsulated by miles and miles of farm land, which the prisoners work day in and day out under the careful eyes of shotgun toting guards on horseback. Honest.
Guard, in the guard booth on highway 61: You boys want to do what?
Toby: I was wondering if we could cross over the farm, from highway 61 over to Highway 49. Guard: Well, you can. But we got rules. First off, I have to make a list of every item you have in that car with you. Second, you absolutely cannot stop your vehicle at any time while crossing the farm. Not once. And they'll be no picture taking. Keep all your cameras in the trunk.
Toby: Can we stop at the prison itself? I was hoping maybe I could talk with warden about doing an interview.
Guard: You have to have written permission in advance for that! [he looked a little surprised by my question]. And one more thing. It better take you exactly 15 minutes to make it across. Otherwise, you gonna have trouble when you reach the other side.
Toby: Yessir. We don't want any trouble. [ I figured this was the last place I would want any trouble].
Guard: And last thing. You better make sure that every item on this list checks out on the other side. Otherwise...
Toby: We'll have trouble.
Guard: You catch on quick.
So the guard went ahead and made up a list of everything we had.
• 2 cameras • Video equipment • Audio equipment • Camping supplies • 2 six packs of Bud • 1 bottle of Vodka
And off we went. For exactly 15 minutes. I wish I could show you what those prisoners looked like, all dressed in white, all in a row with hoes in their hands, working in unison under the watchful eye of that guard sitting on top of his horse and cradling his rifle. But I can't. The camera's were in the trunk.
One thing I can tell you. Parchman Farm is exactly 15 minutes wide. Exactly.
Parchman Farm is otherwise known as Mississippi State Penitentary. All told there are about a dozen or so small buildings surrounded by barbed wire and chain link fence. But by golly that's not even a tenth of the actual prison. It's completely encapsulated by miles and miles of farm land, which the prisoners work day in and day out under the careful eyes of shotgun toting guards on horseback. Honest.
Guard, in the guard booth on highway 61: You boys want to do what?
Toby: I was wondering if we could cross over the farm, from highway 61 over to Highway 49. Guard: Well, you can. But we got rules. First off, I have to make a list of every item you have in that car with you. Second, you absolutely cannot stop your vehicle at any time while crossing the farm. Not once. And they'll be no picture taking. Keep all your cameras in the trunk.
Toby: Can we stop at the prison itself? I was hoping maybe I could talk with warden about doing an interview.
Guard: You have to have written permission in advance for that! [he looked a little surprised by my question]. And one more thing. It better take you exactly 15 minutes to make it across. Otherwise, you gonna have trouble when you reach the other side.
Toby: Yessir. We don't want any trouble. [ I figured this was the last place I would want any trouble].
Guard: And last thing. You better make sure that every item on this list checks out on the other side. Otherwise...
Toby: We'll have trouble.
Guard: You catch on quick.
So the guard went ahead and made up a list of everything we had.
• 2 cameras • Video equipment • Audio equipment • Camping supplies • 2 six packs of Bud • 1 bottle of Vodka
And off we went. For exactly 15 minutes. I wish I could show you what those prisoners looked like, all dressed in white, all in a row with hoes in their hands, working in unison under the watchful eye of that guard sitting on top of his horse and cradling his rifle. But I can't. The camera's were in the trunk.
One thing I can tell you. Parchman Farm is exactly 15 minutes wide. Exactly.