April is “Second Chance Month”, and this event really put the notion of redemption under a microscope.  Resolved: The United States should abolish life without parole sentences. For the incarcerated men from Maine State Prison (MSP) this topic was far from an academic exercise.  The Pine Tree state doesn’t have a parole system, so every long-term or life sentence amounts to a permanent human erasure. With their backs against a concrete wall and the current triple crown national debate champions from Wake Forest University in front of them, something had to give.

Maine State Prison (MSP): Affirmative Team

Coaches: Tom Jewell-University of New Mexico (Ret.) & John Katsulas-Boston College

1. Leo Hylton-1st Constructive
2. Matthew Cushing-1st Rebuttal
3. Steven Clark-2nd Constructive
4. Chris Laliberte-2nd Rebuttal
5. Shaun Libby-Team Captain-Cross Ex/Closer
6. Abil Teshome-Alternate

To their credit, the champs from Wake Forest came into this debate philosophically in agreement with abolishing life without parole (LWOP) sentences.  Therefore, instead of arguing against the reform itself they creatively proposed a counterplan. It was an enlightened and respectful position for our “Woke” Forest friends to advance and also an effective tactical maneuver.

Wake Forest University: Negative Team

Coach: Justin Green-Wake Forest University

1. Niko Battle-1st Constructive
2. Preston Shaw-1st Rebuttal
3. Sebastian Cho-2nd Constructive
4. Marge Strong-2nd Rebuttal
5. Cole Wolfe-Cross Ex/Closer

NPDL Director of Community Engagement Clarence Williams moderated the debate.  Clarence also brought his unique lived experience to the space as someone who served 20 years of a life without parole sentence in the Massachusetts state prison system before finally being released due to proof of innocence and wrongful conviction.

Judges:

1. Ed Lee III-Director of the Barkley Forum at Emory University
2. Andrea Roth-University of California-Berkeley Law Professor, JD from Yale Law School
3. Jessica Clark-Executive Director of Denver Urban Debate League
4. Alex Tsarkov-Executive Director of Connecticut Sentencing Commission
5. Priscilla Guerrerro, Esq.-Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia

Despite Wake Forest’s obvious skill, with parole on the ballot in Maine this Spring (Bill LD 178), MSP was not going to be denied. From Leo Hylton’s opening lines, it became clear that we were all witnessing the personification of redemption.  By the time Steven Clark delivered his emotionally compelling 2nd constructive argument the tide of elevated humanity could not be reversed. The judges scored it a 4-1 victory for MSP over the national debate champions!

Watch the debate video here:

https://www.youtube.com/@nationalprisondebateleague

What else is possible when we tap into restorative and humanizing practices?  Support our work and let’s find out:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/charitable-allies-inc/national-prison-debate-league