MOney-Making Prison

On the broad reaches of the Mississippi Delta in Sunflower County is a remarkable state penitentiary. Its name: Parchman Penal Farms. Its record: a net profit for 1942 of $550,000.

Source of this profit, perhaps the most money ever made in a year by any U.S.

prison, is the cultivation of 21,000 acres of rich alluvial land by 2,125 Negro and 425 white prisoners. Last year Parchman Farms fattened 3,000 head of swine, ran a big dairy herd, sold cotton, tomatoes, beans, Irish potatoes, sorghum and soy beans. This year, with farm prices rising, production of feeds and foodstuffs will be up 10%.

Founded in 1903, Parchman Farms is run by M. P. Lowrey ("Moses") Love, who believes in giving his prisoners all the freedom that is lawful. There are no prison walls on the plantation, only six state-paid civilian guards. Order is maintained by 700 stripe-wearing trusties, of whom 225 are armed with rifles, and called "shooters."

Most sensational prison break was the successful escape in 1940 of a notorious killer and Parchman trusty, Kennie Wagner, ex-trick shot circus star who killed five men in three states. Last February, 19 other prisoners broke prison in the largest break in Mississippi history. All but three have been recaptured. The prison is also criticized for working its men too hard--competition to make a profit is too keen among its 17 farming units. This year Mississippi's Governor Paul B. Johnson heeded the reformers. His order: more attention to rehabilitation of the prisoners, less to making money.

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