Empowering Incarcerated Learners Through Debate

Inmates are arguing at Cheshire Correctional Institution. The affirmative side establishes its argument. The opposition takes the floor. Then there’s cross-examination.

They’re debating – part of a new collaborative program between the National Prison Debate League (NPDL), Cornell ILR’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI), and the Cornell Speech and Debate Society.

The 12-week program equips incarcerated learners with vital debate, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. 

“The program’s ultimate goal extends far beyond the debate floor,” said Jodi Anderson Jr, program co-instructor and director of technological innovation at CJEI. “We want to empower these individuals to become advocates for themselves and others, especially at the policy level.”

Sam Nelson is the director of speech and debate at Cornell’s ILR School and brings over 25 years of experience as co-instructor alongside Anderson Jr. 

“Cornell is providing us with top-level debate coaching for one of our league teams in Connecticut along with a number of student volunteers who are working with our program participants across multiple prisons in Maine,” said Daniel Throop, executive director of NPDL. “This is how real community gets built, by people who care enough to make a difference.”  

At the end of the course, the program will send a six-person debate team to take on a team from New York University in a public debate. It is daunting, but NPDL’s existing debate teams within the Maine Department of Corrections have emerged victorious in debates against Boston College and the reigning national champions, Wake Forest University.

The collaboration between CJEI, Cornell Speech and Debate Society, and NPDL exemplifies the power of education in transforming lives, particularly for those within the criminal justice system. 

“A critical component of our mission is the sociological bridge-building required to span the social barriers which seek to maintain the division of our collective humanity,” said Throop. “Educational partners like Cornell University’s ILR School help us to achieve the rare form of social diplomacy we seek to advance by collaborating with NPDL to establish supportive new connections in otherwise hopelessly disconnected spaces.”

“These individuals all have a voice,” said Anderson Jr. “This program just teaches them how to use it and advocate for themselves and others.”