Resident of Wilkinson Prison Presents Academic Paper on Anne Moody

Glen Conley II realizes dream of becoming a scholar

#MTCChangesLives

 

Glen Conley II prepares to present paper on Anne Moody

WOODVILLE, Miss. -- Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently made history when one of its residents presented an academic paper from the facility using the Nooks platform.

Offender Glen Conley II presented a paper on Anne Moody at the 53rd annual conference held by the Western Association of Women Historians (WAWH) on Friday, April 23. The event took place as a virtual meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a laptop under the guidance of WCCF staff, Conley shared his research with scholars from several universities.

“This was a proud moment for all of us,” said Warden Scott Middlebrooks. “Conley is passionate about his research on Anne Moody and his passion came through during his presentation. This is an important milestone for WCCF and for the state of Mississippi.”
 
Conley’s paper was titled, “Coming of Age to See Things Differently: How Whites Influenced Anne Moody’s Decision to Fight Social Injustice.”

Conley, who hails from Hammond, LA., has been a resident at WCCF since 2016. He is an administrative orderly and Inmate Religious Assistant (IRA), who has completed the seminary program at Parchman. He earned a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree through the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Conley is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theological studies through NationsUniversity.

Staff members who attended the virtual event said Conley did a great job. “His presentation drew me in and held my attention,” said Investigator Lieutenant Michelle Higginbotham. “He is a great speaker and clearly an expert on Anne Moody.”

Security Threat Group (STG) Investigator Rachel Hickombottom said Conley was descriptive and persuasive in his presentation. “He did an excellent job, especially when he described who influenced [Moody],” she said. “She chose the direction that she did because of the things she saw around her. She wanted to mimic the people that she saw who were doing well. She didn’t want to stay in poverty – she wanted to rise and do better.”

Leigh Ann Wheeler, a professor of history at Binghamton University, was instrumental in arranging for Conley to speak at the conference. She described his contribution as an “historic treat for attendees.”

“Conley surprised many by arguing that various white people in Moody's life were the main inspiration behind her academic success and decision to fight against social injustice,” Wheeler said. “When challenged by the chair—the pioneering women's historian, Professor Sara Evans—for possibly giving southern whites too much credit, Conley related his research on Moody to today's racial problems, insisting that one way out of those problems is to focus on the good in people of all races and to resist rather than encourage race-based hatred.”

Wheeler is writing Moody’s biography. She was one of several scholars who also presented a paper on Moody at the WAWH conference.
 
Moody was a civil-rights pioneer who wrote the classic, Coming of Age in Mississippi. She grew up in Centreville. Moody died in 2015 at her home in Gloster. She was 74.

WCCF, which houses over 900 men, is managed by Management & Training Corporation (MTC) of Utah. The facility is the birthplace of the Anne Moody History Project, a community service endeavor in public history for Wilkinson and Amite Counties. Its aim is to honor Moody by promoting and helping to preserve her legacy as a noted author, civil rights pioneer, and historical figure in Mississippi. 

 #PrivatePrisons #Corrections #MTCChangesLives 

 ---------------------------------

ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: http://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com.

Liberty’s Aaron Griffin Named ‘Employee of the Month for April’

Recognition given at Wilkinson Prison

Aaron Griffin

WOODVILLE, Miss. – Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently honored Liberty resident Aaron Griffin as Employee of the Month for April 2021.

 
“Aaron has done a great job keeping everyone’s time, attendance, and pay straight and in accordance to policy,” said Warden Scott Middlebrooks. “We appreciate him and we are grateful to him for all of his hard work.”
 
Griffin, who works as the accounting clerk for WCCF, has been employed by the company for more than two years. He is a 2010 graduate of Amite County High School. Griffin is also a 2016 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
 
The young professional said he welcomed the news about his work. “I feel truly honored and appreciated,” he said.
 
Finance Manager Gregory Smith, Griffin’s supervisor, said he was pleased with the recognition given to Griffin.
 
“Mr. Griffin’s knowledge, reliability, and work ethic make him an integral part of the finance department and the facility as a whole,” he said. “This recognition is earned and well-deserved.”
 
Griffin plans to continue working hard while pursuing more education. “I am currently seeking both a program and university to pursue a Master’s degree,” he said.
 
WCCF, which houses over 900 men, is managed by Management & Training Corporation (MTC) of Utah.