A new memoir detailing three years of creative arts instruction at Mississippi State Penitentiary offers an intimate look at how artistic expression transformed lives behind prison walls. Intersections: Seeking Self at Parchman Prison by Sally Lott McLellan chronicles her experiences teaching incarcerated men through an innovative outreach program.
The book, released by VOX PRESS, documents McLellan’s work with the Prison Writes Initiative, where participants engaged in drawing, painting, mask-making, sewing, and creating folk and meditative art. The program, which has since expanded to Marshall County Correctional Facility in Holly Springs, represents a unique approach to rehabilitation through creative expression.
McLellan describes her experience as “a wild leap into the unknown,” revealing how the process challenged her to examine her own strengths and weaknesses while building trust with her students. The memoir explores the dual journey of instructor and participants as they navigated the complexities of creative expression within the prison environment.
The Prison Writes Initiative reflects the broader mission of the Oxford-based nonprofit, which focuses on providing creative opportunities for individuals and groups traditionally overlooked by mainstream publishing and academic institutions. As a 501(c)3 arts organization, VOX PRESS has established itself as a platform for underrepresented voices in Mississippi’s literary and artistic communities.
Through McLellan’s narrative, readers gain insight into how arts education can serve as a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth, even in the most challenging circumstances. The memoir documents not only the artistic achievements of the participants but also the profound human connections formed through the creative process.
Intersections: Seeking Self at Parchman Prison is now available through, Amazon, select bookstores, and directly from VOX Books at www.voxpress.org. The publication marks another milestone in the organization’s commitment to amplifying voices from all corners of Mississippi’s diverse communities.
