National Prison Debate League

Incarcerated intellectuals in Connecticut remain undefeated in policy debate! On Wednesday January 29, 2025 a team of incarcerated students participating in the T.R.U.E. Program at Cheshire Correctional Institution outscored Binghamton University's squad on the topic of eliminating cash bail. T.R.U.E. Debate made their National Prison Debate League debut last Spring against New York University. Yesterday's win moves their overall record to 2-0 proving that there are no inferior minds; just unequal access to opportunity. Special thanks to Brittany LaMarr for coordinating and moderating this event on location in the cellblock of Cheshire CI. We salute the debaters from Binghamton for being such willing social ambassadors as we collaboratively seek to promote communication and civic engagement despite the artificial barriers wrongly dividing our communities. Coaches John Katsulas of the Fulton Debating Society of Boston College and Joe Schatz of Binghamton University helped the teams prepare for this powerful and important policy debate. We'd also like to acknowledge our incredible volunteers, partners, and researchers whose support make transcendent events like this one in CT possible: Troy Grant, Clyde Meikle, Eulalia Garcia, College Unbound, Edovo, Ascendium's Education Philanthropy, The Wesleyan Center for Prison Education, Boston College, Stacy Burnett, MBA, JSTOR, Brian Scott-Smith, Community Partners in Action, Massachusetts Bail Fund, and the National Bail Fund Network. NPDL thanks you all for helping us to elevate our collective humanities as well as the conversation! #decarceratingminds #TRUEdebate #prisoned #civicengagement

Thanks to Brittany LaMarr, the Cheshire team had access to JSTOR to prepare for this debate against Binghamton University. It took a village - Daniel Throop's vision for National Prison Debate League, the IT team at Connecticut Department of Corrections, Tess Wheelwright and The Wesleyan Center for Prison Education, and, of course, funding provided by Ascendium's Education Philanthropy to pay for the laptops and events. Public events like this, connecting people inside with people outside are important. Even if you aren't a debate-oriented person, register for this and spend time in community with interesting people, and leave room to be amazed. If you can't catch it live, register so you can catch the recording at your leisure. It will be time well spent! Link in post below. :-) #prisoneducation #prison #debate

Congratulations to IMRP Researcher Brittany LaMarr whose work with the National Prison Debate League was recently highlighted in Finland's largest newspaper. The IMRP’s International Justice Exchange, which emphasizes human connection, curiosity, and openness, played a role in expanding LaMarr’s work to an international stage. Read about how collaborators across the globe bring the power of debate to incarcerated individuals seeking new skills and pathways to higher education. #justice #debate #education

TRUE Unit Debate Team from Cheshire Correctional Institution will debate Binghamton University on 1/29 at 5:30pm. Resolved: The United States should abolish cash bail. To tune in, register below. https://lnkd.in/eSqZf_QZ Tess WheelwrightNational Prison Debate LeagueFulton Debating Society of Boston CollegeYale Prison Education Initiative at Dwight Hall

Envoy Debate Team from York Correctional Institution will debate Boston College this Friday, 1/24 at 11am. Resolved: The United States should enact 18-year term limits for Supreme Court Justices. Register to tune in below! https://lnkd.in/eHAcQYnZ Tess WheelwrightNational Prison Debate LeagueFulton Debating Society of Boston College

NPDL.org's International Division is expanding and undefeated so far! 🫡

NPDL.org is rolling into 2025 with a full head of steam as we expand our efforts to decarcerate minds on both sides of prison walls. Please consider donating to support our barrier-breaking educational programming: https://lnkd.in/eZuttuuA #decarceratingminds #prisoned #hep #reentry #socialdiplomacy #civicengagement Brandon Brown, Shaun Libby, Chandler Dugal, Brittany LaMarr, John Katsulas, JD Linares, David Myland, Clarence Williams, Jodi Anderson Jr., Juliette Salah, Willie Gomez, Diane Sun, Troy Grant, Patrick Waldinger, Justin Green, Adam R. Lee, Frank Irizarry, Tripp Rebrovick, Harvard Debate Council, Fulton Debating Society of Boston College, Suffolk University - College of Arts & Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, The Educational Justice Institute (TEJI) @ MIT, Ascendium's Education Philanthropy

Yay!

🫡 A huge salute to NPDL Advisory Board member, real one, and overall boss, Priscilla A. Guerrero, Esq. #decarceratingminds

The Wesleyan Center for Prison Education Tess Wheelwright Troy Grant Clyde Meikle Brittany LaMarr #decarceratingminds 🫡