PARCHMAN Meaning and
Definition
-
Parchman is a noun that refers to a correctional facility or penitentiary. The term originates from the Mississippi State Penitentiary, commonly known as Parchman Farm or simply Parchman, which is a maximum-security prison located in Sunflower County, Mississippi, in the United States.
The facility is renowned for its harsh conditions and history of convict labor. Parchman became a notorious symbol of the Jim Crow era and the convict lease system that exploited mainly African American prisoners for agricultural work. The term "Parchman" often evokes images of deep-south prisons characterized by isolation, brutality, and forced labor.
In a broader sense, "parchman" has become a colloquialism for any prison or correctional institution, especially when discussing prisons in the American South or referring to oppressive or harsh prison conditions elsewhere. The term signifies a place of confinement where individuals are stripped of their freedom and subjected to strict rules and regulations, often with minimal amenities.
The term "parchman" has gained cultural significance, appearing in various literary works, songs, and films that depict or allude to the experiences and hardships of prisoners and the realities of the criminal justice system. It serves as a reminder of the historical and present-day issues surrounding incarceration, punishment, and the need for prison reform.
Etymology of PARCHMAN
The word "Parchman" is derived from the name of the Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm or simply Parchman. It is a maximum-security prison located in Sunflower County, Mississippi, USA. The facility was established in 1901 and has remained in operation since then. Over time, the name Parchman became synonymous with the prison itself, and it is often used to refer to the penitentiary or the prison system in Mississippi.
Similar spelling words for PARCHMAN
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
