The Scholars Within Program
Liberative theological education for incarcerated learners at Cook County Jail
At McCormick Theological Seminary, we believe that education is an act of liberation. Through Scholars Within — a Solidarity Building Initiative (SBI) program formerly known as the Seminary in Jail program — we offer enriching teaching and learning opportunities for individuals impacted by the justice system at the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC).
Through SBI and its programming, McCormick fosters spaces where Christian faith, diverse perspectives, curiosity, and creativity intersect. These are not merely classrooms — they are sacred communities of belonging, advocacy, reflection, and hope.
We envision a world where carceral education is essential — a place where incarcerated scholars are seen, heard, and equipped to flourish within a larger movement for justice and liberation.
As the Scholars Within and other SBI programs continue to deepen work in community-rooted partnerships, public scholarship, and justice-centered practices, strategically situating SBI with the Office of Community Engagement and Alumni Relations creates new possibilities for integration, collaboration, and impact – both within McCormick and in the wider communities we serve.
MISSION & VISION
Mission: Expand access to resources in higher theological education for our siblings on the inside while also creating pathways to connect their insights, creativity, and wisdom with communities on the outside.
Vision: Affirm that the scholars within are essential members of our communities and to uplift the indelible interconnectedness of all life – a truth powerfully expressed in the African concept of ubuntu: “I am because you are.” We desire to seize every opportunity to cultivate beloved community, inviting scholars to experience freedom and formation by reflecting theologically and living prophetically—even behind bars.
A PROGRAM RE-IMAGINED
After a year of intentional assessment, we are pleased to re-launch our learning initiative with trauma-informed, thought-provoking, and life-giving curriculum designed to stir the soul of the scholar.
This new Scholars Within chapter draws from the wisdom of Sankofa — reaching back to move forward. We honor the voices within the jail who have wrestled with sacred texts, offered bold witness, and dreamed of liberation.
“There are scholars within. There are voices on the inside with solutions. There are minds eager to engage with ancient Scripture and contemporary struggle. And there is a prophetic witness rising from within the walls of CCDOC—alive, resilient, and faithful.”
ACADEMIC FORMATION
Fall 2025: “Made in God’s Image: A Front Row Seat” 5-Week Workshop
This workshop invites Scholars to engage in critical self-reflection, contemplation, and proposed concrete action for daily living through the lens of Christian faith. Content will present several frameworks or tools for reflection on what it means to be made in God’s Image, with emphasis on connecting being with doing. Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson, M.Div., D. Min., adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, returns with Rev. Dr. Anese Collier, PhD, LCPC, of the A.M.E. Church, to teach at Division 3AX, serving the women’s population.
Spring 2026 & Beyond: The Allen Lecture and Alumni-Inspired Offerings
The Allen Lectures are a lecture series at McCormick Theological Seminary made possible by an endowed fund from Winnetka Congregational Church, focusing on stimulating intellectual discussion of strategies for and applications of effective pastoral care. Partnering with Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), SBI will broadcast the solidarity that exists between the Scholars within and the Scholars without–inviting biblical scholarship and dialogue on the intersectionality of faith and restorative justice.
Following the Academic Calendar, SBI endeavors to produce collaborative work with MTS alumni to establish a dynamic, inside-out learning community. The enlargement of ministerial opportunities, for both alumni and Scholars within, ties directly to the MTS value of curating Transformational Experiences—going beyond the four walls of the academy to model impact in the community.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To participate in the Scholars Within program, scholars must:
Have a high school diploma or GED
Complete assigned readings in advance of class
Engage in active and responsible discussion, balancing participation with deep listening
Demonstrate critical reflection on theological content and classroom conversation
The Scholars Within Program is a movement of faith in solidarity with the incarcerated, rooted in McCormick’s deep commitments to justice, theological reflection, and transformative ministry.
READY TO LEARN MORE?
Juah Washington is the Academic Program Manager for the Scholars Within program where she coordinates curriculum, faculty support, and student services for justice-impacted learners. With 16 years in nonprofit educational settings serving children, youth, and families, Juah brings deep experience in program design, wraparound support, and outcomes-driven partnerships.
Whether you're a partner organization, potential instructor, or advocate for liberative theological education — we welcome your engagement with this vital ministry.