Most prisons keep their doors tightly locked at all times as a functional imperative. However, on April 11, 2023, administrators at Maine Correctional Center (MCC) boldly opted to open them a bit.  The result: an absolute transformation of the space from isolation to community. NPDL staff, Boston College’s Fulton Debating Society, the Women’s Center (WC) team, along with friends and family members of our joint MCC-MVCF team united under a banner of shared humanity.

In unprecedented fashion, these diverse groups of people were able to interact, converse, joke around, and share a DOC-catered meal together. For a few hours at least, it felt like a regular gathering of folks breaking bread and barriers. Notably, this was my first foray back inside of a prison since my own release from the Massachusetts DOC and it proved to be a very moving experience. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic volunteer programs have been mostly shuttered, so this in-person event was a great way to kick-off our Spring season.

Once the debate started the discussion remained civil, albeit much more academic in nature, as environmental policy was thoroughly examined. Resolved: The United States Federal Government should enact an economy-wide carbon tax. Boston College made the affirmative case in favor of this resolution while MCC argued against such a tax.

Boston College (Fulton Debating Society):

1. Professor John Katsulas-Director of Debate/Coach/Former President of the American Debate Association
2. Terrance King-1st Constructive
3. Christopher Cheek-1st Rebuttal
4. Owen Engler-2nd Constructive
5. John Sexton-2nd Rebuttal
6. Nora Feeney-Cross Ex/Closer

MCC/MVCF:

1. Patrick Waldinger-NPDL Volunteer Coach/University of Miami Debate/President of the American Debate Association
2. Chandler Dugal-Team Captain-1st Constructive
3. Nick Drake-1st Rebuttal
4. Jerad Scheurwater-2nd Constructive
5. Jason DeLong-2nd Rebuttal
6. Patrick Dapolito-Cross Ex/Closer
7. Ross Adams-Alternate
8. Chris Murray-Alternate

Judging Panel:

1. David Cram Helwich-Director of Debate at the University of Minnesota & Chair of the NDT Appeals Committee
2. Frank Irizzary-Director of Debate at Suffolk University & Former Debate Director at the University of Florida
3. Danielle O’Gorman-Director of Debate at the United States Naval Academy & Former President of the American Debate Association (ADA)
4. Matthew Mitchell-Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center & Professor of Economics at George Mason University
5. Sally Davidson-PhD in Economics & Professor at Emerson College

Both teams were excellent in their analysis and utilization of supporting evidence, but in the end the judges declared MCC the winners by a 4-1 margin! Other than Chandler Dugal, who made his debut with the NPDL last Fall, none of the other MCC team members had any previous debate experience. Boston College displayed remarkable poise and skill with Christopher Cheek, BC’s 2022 Fulton Prize Winner as top debater, delivering strong rebuttal points. Fortunately for MCC, Jason DeLong stole the show with a withering rebuttal of his own which seemed to seal the win for MCC. Thanks to Chandler’s steadying influence and weeks of expert coaching from NPDL volunteer Patrick Waldinger; Jerad Scheurwater, Nick Drake, Jason DeLong, Patrick Dapolito, Ross Adams, and Chris Murray trusted our process and showed everyone their undiminished capacity for greatness.

You can watch the entire debate here: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalprisondebateleague

If you’d like to support this work, you can donate here: Donate Now | National Prison Debate League by Fiscal Sponsorship Allies Inc (givelively.org)