Transforming Criminal Justice Through Gender-Responsive Research and Practice
Dr. Salisbury partners with justice systems to put research into practice—helping implement evidence-based strategies that improve support, services, and outcomes for women. Her work helps turn policy into practice where it matters most.
Meet Dr. Emily Salisbury
Emily Salisbury, Ph.D. is a professor and criminal justice consultant dedicated to effecting positive change in correctional agencies on behalf of justice-involved women. She accomplishes this through person-centered interventions that integrate the voices of both women under supervision and the professionals working alongside them. She is one of the founding scholars of the gender-responsive strategies evidence base and co-developed the Women's Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA).
She goes further by applying the knowledge gained from gender-responsive scholarship to improving outcomes for system-involved men—for far too long, the criminal justice system has dismissed men’s traumatic experiences.
Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA)
Dr. Salisbury co-created the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) which is the only instrument of its kind developed for system-impacted women. It identifies women’s specific risks, needs, and strengths to inform trauma- and gender-responsive case planning and programming. Endorsed by the United Nations, the WRNA supports human rights afforded to justice-involved women.
Self-Assessment for Fempowerment (SAFE)
The Self-Assessment for Fempowerment (SAFE) is a free mobile health app developed by Dr. Salisbury and Interactive Life, Inc. It helps women—particularly those impacted by justice systems—assess and improve their personal health and well-being across eight key areas. With auto-generated feedback, SAFE promotes motivation towards self-awareness and healing. The app offers curated wellness resources and progress tracking, making it a valuable tool for both users and case managers in support of behavior change and personal growth. Additional subscription-based resources created by world renowned experts such as Dr. Stephanie Covington are also available for agencies interested in tailoring SAFE to their clients’ needs.
In the Spotlight
Advancing Justice for Women
Dr. Emily Salisbury’s work continues to shape national conversations on women and incarceration. From high-profile speaking engagements to policy leadership roles, explore her media appearances and thought leadership that amplify the voices and needs of system-impacted women.