President Trump makes Bureau of Prisons history by appointing Joshua J. Smith, a former federal inmate he pardoned, as the Bureau’s Deputy Director, marking a transformative shift in American prison reform leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua Smith, a former federal inmate who served five years for drug trafficking, has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Prisons—the first person with a felony record to hold such a high-ranking position.
- After his release in 2003, Smith became a successful entrepreneur, founding a $30 million company and investing $8 million to create Fourth Purpose, a faith-based nonprofit helping inmates transform their lives.
- Smith received a presidential pardon from President Trump in January 2021, recognizing his remarkable turnaround and commitment to prison reform.
- BOP Director William Marshall cited Smith’s “firsthand understanding” of prison facilities as uniquely positioning him to advocate for needed resources and reforms.
- Smith faces significant challenges in his new role, including low staff morale, budget constraints, and a bureau that has been placed on the Government Accountability Office’s high-risk list.
From Federal Prisoner to Prison Administrator
Joshua Smith’s appointment as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons represents a watershed moment in American criminal justice. Smith, who was convicted of drug trafficking in 1998 and served five years in a Kentucky federal prison camp, will now help oversee the very system that once incarcerated him. This unprecedented appointment by the Trump administration demonstrates a bold new approach to prison management and reform, bringing firsthand experience to leadership positions typically filled by career bureaucrats with no personal understanding of incarceration.
While in prison, Smith experienced a profound transformation through faith and mentorship. Rather than simply serving time, he used his incarceration as an opportunity for personal growth. “Prison time for me shifted into an educational time rather than just doing time,” said Smith, reflecting on his experience behind bars that would later inform his approach to reform.
After his release in 2003, Smith built an impressive business empire in Knoxville, Tennessee. He founded Master Service Companies, which grew into a $30 million enterprise employing over 180 people, including former inmates. His success in business provided him with both the financial resources and practical experience to address systemic issues in prisoner rehabilitation. Smith’s journey from incarceration to entrepreneurship to government leadership embodies the redemption narrative that conservative reformers have long advocated as an alternative to the perpetual punishment model.
🤯 WTF Fun Fact: Trump Pardoned Him—Now He Runs the Prison System
You read that right: Joshua J. Smith, a convicted drug trafficker turned federal inmate, was personally pardoned by Donald Trump—and is now the #2 official in the entire U.S. Bureau of Prisons. That’s not a… pic.twitter.com/CisBXpauWZ
— P a u l ◉ (@SkylineReport) June 7, 2025
President Trump’s Pardon and Smith’s Mission
President Trump recognized Smith’s extraordinary transformation and contributions to criminal justice reform when he granted him a full pardon in January 2021. The pardon, supported by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, acknowledged not only Smith’s personal rehabilitation but his tireless work helping others find their path to redemption. This presidential act of clemency cleared the way for Smith to take on his historic role within the federal government, bringing a previously excluded perspective to prison administration at the highest levels.
“Today is a day of redemption that I attribute to God’s grace,” said Joshua J. Smith upon receiving his pardon, a sentiment that has guided his life’s work since his release.
In 2019, Smith invested $8 million of his own money to establish Fourth Purpose, a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping inmates transform their lives. The organization, named after what Smith identifies as the “fourth purpose” of incarceration—rehabilitation—works to provide inmates with the tools, education, and support they need to successfully reintegrate into society. Smith’s substantial personal investment demonstrates his deep commitment to reform beyond rhetoric, putting real resources behind his vision for a more effective prison system.
Bringing Firsthand Experience to Bureau Leadership
BOP Director William K. Marshall III highlighted the unprecedented value Smith brings to the bureau’s leadership team. His appointment represents a dramatic shift from the traditional bureaucratic approach to prison management that has largely failed both inmates and society. Smith’s unique perspective promises to address long-standing issues within the system, including the high recidivism rates that have plagued American corrections for decades, costing taxpayers billions while failing to improve public safety.
“His firsthand understanding of our facilities — of the tension, the risk and the importance of trust — makes him uniquely positioned to advocate for the resources and reforms front-line staff need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Director William K. Marshall III, emphasizing the practical value of Smith’s lived experience.
Smith faces significant challenges in his new role. The Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by cronyism, corruption, staffing shortages, and misconduct. It manages a massive budget and workforce while appearing on the Government Accountability Office’s high-risk list. Low morale among BOP staff represents another hurdle Smith must address. His business experience managing large organizations gives him valuable tools to tackle these systemic issues, while his experience as an inmate provides unique insight into how policies affect those in custody.
A New Era for Prison Reform
Smith’s appointment signals a potential sea change in how America approaches incarceration and rehabilitation. For decades, the prison system has operated with little input from those who have experienced it firsthand. By elevating Smith to this unprecedented position, President Trump has challenged the status quo and acknowledged that meaningful reform requires diverse perspectives, including those who have been through the system. This appointment may represent the beginning of a more pragmatic, experience-based approach to corrections policy.
“What God has allowed me to experience in my life is just unbelievable. It’s a miracle unto itself. There’s no reason I should be here,” said Joshua J. Smith, reflecting on his extraordinary journey from federal inmate to deputy director.
Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform, praised Smith’s appointment, saying, “Director Marshall couldn’t have made a better choice. Josh Smith brings a deep moral clarity and transformative vision to the Bureau — grounded in lived experience and a passion for redemption and human dignity. His leadership on reentry is exactly what this moment demands.” Smith’s approach, which balances accountability with redemption, represents a conservative vision for prison reform that emphasizes rehabilitation without sacrificing public safety.
