Dr. Sami Abdel-Salam joined the WCU Department of Criminal Justice faculty in 2013.
Prior to beginning at WCU, he worked as a Senior Research Associate at the Center
for Drug and Health Studies at the University of Delaware. At the Center, he served
as Project Director for a national study involving the implementation of evidence-based
practices for substance abuse treatment in correctional settings. This research culminated
in a number of significant publications in numerous criminal justice and substance
abuse journals. His other interests include comparative penology and prison reform.
His current research is focused on evaluating the Norwegian correctional system, specifically
with regards to its humane and rehabilitative approach to incarceration. As a result
of this research, Dr. Abdel-Salam has participated in multiple national and international
conferences, including the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, to share his findings. He continues
to work with Norwegian and U.S. correctional officials to promote the benefits of
a Scandinavian approach to prison reform.
