VOX PRESS unveils a powerful anthology of writings from incarcerated individuals at Mississippi’s most infamous prison unit, providing a rare and unfiltered look at life behind bars.
-- A Groundbreaking Literary Collection
VOX PRESS, a nonprofit literary publisher based in Oxford, Mississippi, has released Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison, an unprecedented collection of essays, poetry, and artwork created by inmates housed in Mississippi State Penitentiary’s largest and most notorious unit. This book is the result of three years of dedicated work through VOX’s prison outreach program, the Mississippi Prison Writes Initiative.
The anthology features the voices of over 30 incarcerated individuals, many of whom had never written creatively before participating in the program. Their raw and unfiltered reflections delve into the realities of prison life, offering an authentic and often harrowing perspective on incarceration, resilience, and survival.
Shedding Light on the Aftermath of the 2019–2020 Unit 29 Riots
Unit 29 of Parchman Prison has long been infamous for its extreme conditions, and the book captures the lived experiences of those who have endured them. Many of the writings explore the aftermath of the violent riots that took place from December 2019 to April 2020, providing first-person accounts of the chaos, trauma, and ongoing struggles faced by those incarcerated there.
These accounts go beyond the headlines, offering deeply personal narratives about neglect, violence, faith, trauma, and the psychological toll of life inside one of the country’s most notorious prison facilities.
A Unique Access to Parchman’s Voices
What sets Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison apart from other prison literature is the unprecedented access VOX PRESS has to Parchman’s inmates through its long-standing educational initiatives. Since 2002, Executive Director Louis Bourgeois has led creative writing workshops for incarcerated individuals, working to cultivate literary voices that are too often ignored by mainstream publishing.
Over the last decade, VOX PRESS has published three volumes of Mississippi inmate writing, reinforcing its mission to elevate the voices of the unheard. Few organizations have been able to access the perspectives of Parchman inmates with such depth, making this collection a truly singular literary achievement.
A Rare and Gritty Portrayal of Prison Life
The pieces within Unit 29 present a stark and unfiltered portrayal of life behind bars. Each contributor brings a distinct narrative voice, offering deeply personal reflections on subjects ranging from religious faith to mental health, from violence to survival. The book serves as both a literary work and an important historical document, capturing a reality that many outside the prison system rarely get to witness.
By reading Unit 29, audiences gain a rare window into the daily struggles of incarcerated individuals, breaking through the stereotypes and shedding light on the humanity behind prison walls.
Available Now
Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison is now available for purchase through VOX PRESS’s website, Amazon, and select bookstores.
For more information, visit www.voxpress.org or follow VOX PRESS on social media.
About VOX PRESS
VOX PRESS is a nonprofit literary publisher committed to amplifying marginalized voices in literature and the arts. Based in Oxford, Mississippi, the organization focuses on publishing works from underrepresented writers, including incarcerated individuals, through initiatives like the Mississippi Prison Writes Initiative. By providing platforms for voices that are often excluded from mainstream publishing, VOX PRESS continues to push the boundaries of literary expression.
Media Contact
Louis Bourgeois
Executive Director, VOX PRESS
Phone: +1 (662) 816-8058
Email: louis-bourgeois@hotmail.com
Website: www.voxpress.org
Facebook: VOX Press Inc.
Facebook: Inmate Art and Writing
Amazon: Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison
Contact Info:
Name: Louis Bourgeois
Email: Send Email
Organization: VOX PRESS
Website: http://www.voxpress.org/
Release ID: 89152036
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