ROME – An unincorporated community in Sunflower County, Rome is located less than five miles from Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm. The small, primarily African American community has a population of less than 200 people. A large number of the residents here either work at the prison or have retired from the institution.

The prison recently made national news due to inmate living conditions and recent violence that’s resulted in several inmate deaths and a Department of Justice investigation. Read our full coverage of Mississippi’s prison system, including Parchman.

Here are images from Rome, about 150 miles north of Jackson, and some of the people who live in the shadow of one of the nation’s most notorious prisons. — Eric J. Shelton

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Photo Gallery: Rome, Mississippi

by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today
January 23, 2020

<h1>Photo Gallery: Rome, Mississippi</h1> <p class="byline">by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today <br />January 23, 2020</p> <p><p>ROME – An unincorporated community in Sunflower County, Rome is located less than five miles from Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm. The small, primarily African American community has a population of less than 200 people. A large number of the residents here either work at the prison or have retired from the institution.</p> <p>The prison recently made national news due to inmate living conditions and recent violence that's resulted in several inmate deaths and a Department of Justice investigation. <a href="https://mississippitoday.org/category/parchman/?utm_source=Mississippi+Today+Supporters&amp;utm_campaign=c39535058d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_07_15_07_55_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_2ac1d8600e-c39535058d-&amp;mc_cid=c39535058d&amp;mc_eid=%5bUNIQID%5d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read our full coverage of Mississippi's prison system, including Parchman</a>.</p> <p>Here are images from Rome, about 150 miles north of Jackson, and some of the people who live in the shadow of one of the nation's most notorious prisons. — Eric J. Shelton</p> </p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504796" data-id="504796" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235427/MG_0186-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">The only post office in the unincorporated community of Rome, Miss. The community is in Sunflower County and it is less than five miles from Parchman. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504808" data-id="504808" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235331/MG_0514-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A sate penitentiary warning sign located near the community of Rome, Miss. Rome is located less than five miles from Parchman. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-508053" data-id="508053" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235121/MG_1671-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Perry Miller is photographed after helping with the tornado relief efforts Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-508052" data-id="508052" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235126/MG_1645-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Larry Spicer, a retired correctional officer, helped with tornado relief efforts Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-508054" data-id="508054" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235117/MG_1695-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A horse stand in a nearly barren lot Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-508055" data-id="508055" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235111/MG_1707-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">James Gwin stands next to his home Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Gwin helped residents with temporary repairs to their home after the Jan. 14 tornado.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504807" data-id="504807" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235336/MG_0501-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A vacant church in the community of Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-508058" data-id="508058" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235057/MG_1807-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Joe Young, pastor of Calvary Chapel at Parchman Rev., stops at Silver Star M.B. Church in search of its pastor to discuss tornado relief efforts Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504800" data-id="504800" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235408/MG_0318-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A car set to be repaired is parked in the front yard of a residence Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504804" data-id="504804" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235350/MG_0424-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Lashunda Robinson, 41, sits on the front porch of her grandmother's home to escape the rain Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504805" data-id="504805" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235345/MG_0434-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">School desks along Mary Street Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504806" data-id="504806" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235340/MG_0465-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Percy Bass, a lifelong resident of Rome, sits inside his truck Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504803" data-id="504803" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235354/MG_0395-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Singh Highway 49 Grocery, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Singh Highway 49 Grocery is the only store in the community. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504802" data-id="504802" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235359/MG_0380-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Singh, 73, is photographed inside of his store, Singh Highway 49 Grocery, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Singh owns the only store in the community. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504797" data-id="504797" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235423/MG_0230-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Dark clouds loom above bales of cotton Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-504798" data-id="504798" src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06235418/MG_0257-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A dog stretches on a quiet Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss.</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mississippitoday.org/2020/01/23/photo-gallery-rome-mississippi/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mississippitoday.org&quot;&gt;Mississippi Today&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.&lt;img src=&quot;https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/06074517/MT_icon-logo-favicon-1-200x200.png&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;&lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://mississippitoday.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=511878&amp;amp;ga4=G-VSX4B701MS&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://mississippitoday.org/2020/01/23/photo-gallery-rome-mississippi/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/mississippitoday.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;</p> Copy to Clipboard

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