Meet Emily
Emily J. Salisbury, Ph.D. is one of the founding scholars of gender-responsive correctional treatment for justice-involved women. Gender-responsive policies and practices start with girls and women in mind and address their unique needs and strengths.
Transforming Justice
Dr. Salisbury is an Associate Professor of Social Work and the Director of the Utah Criminal Justice Center at the University of Utah. She is trained as an applied criminologist.
Her research focuses on the rehabilitation, decarceration and social reintegration of women in the criminal justice system, impacting the lives of more than 50,000 women. She is the co-creator and Research Director of the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA), the only peer-reviewed, validated risk and strengths instrument in the public domain designed specifically for justice-involved women.
Dr. Salisbury approaches her role as a public servant with deep commitment and purpose. She serves as a Commissioner for the Council on Criminal Justice’s Women’s Justice Commission, chaired by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, exemplifying her dedication to advancing justice for women. Driven by a strong sense of professional responsibility, Dr. Salisbury is committed to sharing her expertise not only with academic peers, but also with practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders who shape the lives of individuals impacted by the criminal and juvenile legal systems. Her work centers on amplifying and empowering the voices of those who have been repeatedly failed by public institutions.
Widely respected for her research and evaluation expertise, Dr. Salisbury has secured more than $3 million in grant funding through partnerships with local, state, and national agencies. She is a trusted expert witness for human rights organizations and has provided testimony on the treatment of incarcerated women to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and the Washington State Department of Corrections. In addition, she frequently delivers applied technical assistance to the U.S. Department of Justice, state and nation-state departments of corrections, and international NGOs.
Emily’s work bridges research, technology, and lived experience to drive meaningful change for women in the justice system—locally and globally.
Published Work
Correctional Counseling and Rehabilitation
Emily Salisbury’s latest edition offers a clear, practical guide for anyone working with justice-involved individuals. Grounded in research and real-world experience, the book explores effective counseling methods, mental health diagnosis, assessment, case planning, and intervention strategies. It gives special attention to working with women, individuals with substance use issues, and clients exhibiting severe antisocial behavior. Updated with person-centered language and a new chapter on the relational skills needed by probation and parole officers, this book is an essential resource for students and professionals committed to promoting real change within the justice system.
Featured OP-ED
Girls’ Violence is Rare—But Not Their Violent Victimization
This Newsweek article highlights the disproportionate rates at which girls experience violence, particularly in intimate relationships. While girls are often portrayed as perpetrators, data shows they are more frequently victims of severe abuse, including sexual violence and coercive control. The piece emphasizes the need to shift focus from rare instances of female aggression to the widespread victimization they endure, advocating for trauma-informed approaches to support affected girls.