WASHINGTON — A Tennessee businessman and former federal inmate who received a presidential pardon has been named deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons — marking a historic first for the agency.
Joshua J. Smith, founder of the nonprofit Fourth Purpose Foundation, which focuses on inmate rehabilitation and reentry, will now serve as deputy director of the federal Bureau of Prisons, NBC News reports. Smith was convicted in the late 1990s on drug conspiracy charges and sentenced to five years in federal prison. He was pardoned in 2021 by President Donald Trump.
BOP Director William K. Marshall III, a former West Virginia corrections leader appointed by Trump in April, made the announcement in a memo to staff, calling Smith’s appointment “unprecedented.”
“Josh brings to this role something our agency has never had before at this level — a perspective shaped by lived experience, proven innovation and national impact,” Marshall wrote.
The BOP confirmed that Smith is the first formerly incarcerated individual to be appointed to any role within the agency.
While Smith declined to comment, his story has been widely publicized. Raised by a single mother in public housing, Smith says he was convicted of 10 felonies before the age of 17 and entered prison at 21. During his incarceration, he says he experienced a religious transformation, mentored under white-collar inmates and began teaching business skills behind bars — including at the same Kentucky prison where he served his sentence.
After his release in 2003, Smith launched a multimillion-dollar company and later shifted focus to prison reform, mentoring incarcerated individuals and advocating for second chances. His nonprofit, Fourth Purpose, partners with correctional institutions to support rehabilitation programs.
At the time of his pardon, the Trump administration cited Smith’s post-release work as evidence of his rehabilitation. His request had the backing of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
“There are a lot of Josh Smiths in prisons across our country,” Smith said in 2021 after receiving a full pardon. “I am going to help as many as possible find a new purpose.”
Smith was among 74 people pardoned by Trump on his last day in office during his first term. The list also included political allies and celebrities.
