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
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. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A sate penitentiary warning sign located near the community of Rome, Miss. Rome is located less than five miles from Parchman. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Perry Miller is photographed after helping with the tornado relief efforts Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Larry Spicer, a retired correctional officer, helped with tornado relief efforts Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A horse stand in a nearly barren lot Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
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. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A vacant church in the community of Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
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. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A car set to be repaired is parked in the front yard of a residence Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Lashunda Robinson, 41, sits on the front porch of her grandmother’s home to escape the rain Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
School desks along Mary Street Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Percy Bass, a lifelong resident of Rome, sits inside his truck Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Singh Highway 49 Grocery, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Singh Highway 49 Grocery is the only store in the community. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
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. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Dark clouds loom above bales of cotton Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A dog stretches on a quiet Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Rome, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America