National Prison Debate League Blog

NPDL at Harvard Law School

By Daniel Throop | November 20, 2022

On Tuesday November 15th, I had the honor of speaking at an event for Harvard Law School’s Prison Legal Assistance Project (PLAP). Harvard PLAP does amazing advocacy work within the Massachusetts state prison system on behalf of incarcerated people. “PLAPPERS” (student attorneys) volunteer their time and talents to protect the legal and human rights of…

Uncaged Talent

By Daniel Throop | November 6, 2022

“I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.”  –Stephen Jay Gould A powerful statement. Think about all of the human talent never given the opportunity to illuminate our world. Racism, classism,…

Expanding the League

By Daniel Throop | November 5, 2022

Hello friends! After our amazing October 12th launch event between Maine DOC and MIT Debate (video posted on our events page), I am happy to announce that our efforts to expand the league are in full swing! Our collaboration with Maine DOC continues and we’re also looking to work with the Federal Bureau of Prisons…

The Origins of the NPDL

By Daniel Throop | October 1, 2022

At the time of my incarceration within the Massachusetts state prison system back in 2004 access to postsecondary educational opportunities were almost nonexistent at most facilities. Educational attainment was capped at the high school diploma/GED level, so if one already possessed these credentials the doors to advanced learning were solidly closed.  So, my peers and…

National Prison Debate League Launch at 12th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP)

By Daniel Throop | October 1, 2022

The NPDL is very excited to be partnering with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison to officially launch our programming at their 12th Annual National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP).  The Alliance has kindly offered this space for the NPDL to show the world the power of prison education personified. By placing…