Gone South: S4|E22 - The Last Leper Colony

Introduction

In the twenty-second episode of the fourth season of Gone South, host Jed Lipinski delves into a unique and compelling story that intertwines crime, human resilience, and the complexities of the Southern United States. Entitled "The Last Leper Colony," this episode features an in-depth interview with Neil White, the author of Memoir in the Sanctuary of Outcasts. White recounts his experiences in an unconventional federal prison in Carville, Louisiana, which simultaneously housed inmates and leprosy patients. This detailed narrative not only explores the intersection of criminality and disease but also sheds light on broader themes of isolation, societal stigma, and personal transformation.

Neil White’s Background

Neil White's journey begins in Gulfport, Mississippi, during the height of the Dixie Mafia's activities in the 1970s and 1980s. As a teenager, White was exposed to the Dixie Mafia's operations, particularly through figures like Mike Gillich, a prominent financier and owner of strip clubs that served as Mafia headquarters. White's early interactions, though indirect, with these criminal elements provided him with a unique vantage point on Southern organized crime.

Encounter with the Dixie Mafia

“At the Mississippi coast in the 1970s... Mike Gillich was a presence, even though we never had any personal interaction with him” ([03:30] Neil White). White vividly recalls observing Gillich and his associates frequenting a local Krispy Kreme donut shop, unaware at the time that these meetings laid the groundwork for Mafia activities. These early observations sowed the seeds for his later fascination with the Dixie Mafia, the subject of Gone South’s second season.

Criminal Activity and Sentencing

Despite his promising academic and professional trajectory—winning the Mississippi state debate championship and majoring in English at Ole Miss—White found himself entangled in financial misconduct. His inability to manage finances led him to engage in "kiting checks," a fraudulent practice that ultimately drew the attention of the FBI. In [07:04], White candidly admits, “I was pretty good at writing, pretty good at design, pretty good at marketing and sales, but I was terrible at handling money.” His offense resulted in a guilty plea to bank fraud charges, sentencing him to 18 months in the unique Carville federal prison.

Carville Federal Prison: The Last Leper Colony

Carville, Louisiana, was historically known as the National Leprosarium, a facility established in 1894 to house individuals afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) due to societal stigma and misconceptions about the disease. By the early 1990s, the number of leprosy patients had dwindled, prompting federal officials to repurpose the facility for non-violent inmates and those with medical conditions—a groundbreaking experiment in prison management.

Life Inside Carville

Upon his arrival in Carville in 1993, White was met with a surreal environment where 500 inmates and 130 leprosy patients coexisted under strict segregation. “It was as cushy as you could ever have possibly imagined,” White reflects ([15:45]). The prison lacked traditional punitive measures, featuring dormitory-style living spaces, recreational facilities, and a semblance of normalcy uncommon in typical federal prisons. This environment fostered a unique dynamic between inmates and patients, both groups grappling with their respective stigmas.

Key Relationships and Events

During his time in Carville, White formed relationships with fellow inmates, including Nicholas Bashinsky, Dan Duchene, and Frank Regano. Bashinsky, a former physician serving time for racketeering and fraud, attempted to engage White in dubious schemes even within the confines of prison. Conversely, relationships like that with Harry from St. Croix and Ella Bounds, an elderly female patient, provided profound insights into resilience and adaptation amidst adversity.

One poignant moment occurs on White's first day ([08:23]), when he observes a man without fingers, prompting his first realization of the colony's unusual nature. Ella Bounds, in her recounting of being forcibly brought to the colony at age twelve, epitomizes the tragic impact of societal fears and governmental policies on individuals afflicted by leprosy.

Impact on Neil White

White's experiences in Carville were transformative. Initially approaching his incarceration with a journalistic eye, intending to document the government’s experimental approach, his interactions with patients and inmates alike deepened the narrative's personal and human elements. “I spent about 10 to 15 years studying the craft of writing... figuring out how to write this book and tell this story,” he shares ([29:34]). This period not only influenced his writing career but also reshaped his understanding of humanity's capacity for compassion and connection in the most unlikely settings.

Conclusion and Takeaways

"The Last Leper Colony" serves as a profound exploration of how societal exclusion and fear can manifest in institutional practices. Through Neil White's candid recounting, listeners gain a nuanced perspective on the interplay between crime, disease, and institutional reform in the South. The episode underscores the enduring resilience of individuals who, despite facing systemic stigma and personal downfall, strive to find dignity and purpose. As White eloquently puts it, “they called themselves the Secret People, were for the most part leading these dignified monastic lives” ([26:00]).

This episode not only enriches the Gone South narrative by highlighting a lesser-known facet of Southern history but also invites listeners to reflect on broader themes of isolation, redemption, and the human condition.

Notable Quotes

• Neil White ([03:30]): “I was president of the student council in junior high school... I was a great motivator and cheerleader, but really a terrible manager when it came to delivering any hard news or any boundaries.”

• Neil White ([07:18]): “You guys understand I had planned to pay this back. And they said, what we understand is you were going to go to jail for a couple of years.”

• Neil White ([15:00]): “There's no place like home.”

• Neil White ([24:50]): “...if you were a farmer or a grocer or a merchant and people knew that your family had leprosy, they wouldn't buy your goods... It was sort of a death knell for any family.”

• Neil White ([27:00]): “They held the animals in high esteem.”

Final Thoughts

Gone South continues to excel in shedding light on the intricate tapestry of Southern crimes and their broader socio-cultural implications. "The Last Leper Colony" not only narrates a unique story of imprisonment and disease but also exemplifies the show's commitment to uncovering the deeper human narratives that shape our understanding of the South. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode offers a compelling blend of history, personal memoir, and investigative storytelling.