Parchman Mississippi Circa 1920's
Even in this day of cable TV, air conditioning and the ACLU I still would have serious reservations about going to prison. Imagine what it would have been like back in the 1920's. My grandmother's family worked at one of the state prison camps during this time period and had some photos that I have scanned.
Now if you study this photo for a couple of moments you notice some similar features of the prisoners. 1.) They are pretty much dressed alike in the traditional prison stripes, 2.) they are all either standing in line or riding mules, and 3.) yes, that's right, they are all wearing hats.
Actually you noticed that all the prisoners are black. That's because the prison population was segregated. I believe this photo was taken in the late 1920's but I don't know the camp number. The one prisoner on the white mule in the front left of the picture really stands out, doesn't he? However, if you look closely there are several white mules scattered throughout the crowd.
Parchman was an infamous place for numerous reasons. Most bad, but it produced some of the best bluesmen in the world. When you look at this photo imagine the possibility that somewhere in that crowd was one of those blues artist that got out and made a contribution that is still being appreciated today.
Now if you study this photo for a couple of moments you notice some similar features of the prisoners. 1.) They are pretty much dressed alike in the traditional prison stripes, 2.) they are all either standing in line or riding mules, and 3.) yes, that's right, they are all wearing hats.
Actually you noticed that all the prisoners are black. That's because the prison population was segregated. I believe this photo was taken in the late 1920's but I don't know the camp number. The one prisoner on the white mule in the front left of the picture really stands out, doesn't he? However, if you look closely there are several white mules scattered throughout the crowd.
Parchman was an infamous place for numerous reasons. Most bad, but it produced some of the best bluesmen in the world. When you look at this photo imagine the possibility that somewhere in that crowd was one of those blues artist that got out and made a contribution that is still being appreciated today.
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