PARCHMAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – A new program at the Mississippi State Penitentiary aims to help inmates get ready for parole and for life after prison.
The Mississippi Impact Coalition (MIC) launched the Mississippi Parole Project at Parchman. The group works with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) on the effort. MDOC shared the news on its [Facebook page]([INSERT MDOC FACEBOOK POST LINK]).
The project is part of a larger effort called the Justice & The Next 250 Campaign, according to MDOC.
Who Is Behind the Project
The Mississippi Impact Coalition is a Jackson based group. It works on prison reform, reentry, housing, jobs, and other issues, according to its listing in a national directory of advocacy groups. The group says it puts people who have been through the justice system at the center of its work.
Danyelle Holmes leads the coalition as executive director. She has spent years doing community work across the state, according to her author page at the Mississippi Free Press.
“Freedom is not only a door that opens. It is a road that has to be prepared,” Holmes said.
Prison Leaders Thank Volunteers
Chief Superintendent Marc McClure could not attend the gathering. Still, he thanked the coalition for helping inmates prepare for the chance of parole.
“We appreciate any help that volunteers provide for them,” McClure said. “I know you could be spending your time doing any number of other things, but you’ve chosen to be here to help them, and that means so much to them and to me.”
MDOC also thanked Superintendent Frank Caswell and MSP Education Director Kimberly Meeks. In addition, the agency thanked case manager supervisors and case managers for making room for the coalition.
Meeks said partnerships like this one matter.
“We are grateful for partnerships that promote education, accountability, preparation, successful reentry, and second chances. Thank you, Mississippi Impact Coalition, for coming to Parchman Farms and helping our men prepare for what comes next,” Meeks said.
About Parchman
The Mississippi State Penitentiary is the state’s oldest prison. It opened in 1901 and sits on about 18,000 acres in Sunflower County. It holds only male inmates.
Why Parole Matters at Home
Parole lets some inmates finish their sentence in the community under supervision. In 2021, Mississippi made more inmates eligible for parole. However, being eligible does not mean an inmate will be released. The state Parole Board looks closely at each person’s prison record, according to the Associated Press.
That is why getting ready matters. Inmates who go before the board need to show they have a plan. They also need a plan for work, housing, and family once they come home.
For many families in East Mississippi, this is not a far away issue. Many people in our area have a son, father, brother, or friend serving time in a state prison. When those men come home, they return to our towns, our churches, and our workplaces. Programs that help them prepare can make a difference for the whole community.
