Bureau of Prisons No. 2 official who was pardoned for drug crimes departs

Deputy Director Josh Smith of the federal Bureau of Prisons abruptly announced his departure from the agency on Monday, without providing a reason for his resignation. Smith, who served in the role for a year, had a contentious relationship with some of his colleagues and the agency faced questions about contracts awarded during his tenure.

Smith expressed gratitude to former President Donald Trump for pardoning him for drug-related crimes in 2021, which allowed him to return to the BOP and assume the deputy director position in 2025. Smith stated that his tenure aimed to overhaul the staffing and improve rehabilitative services for inmates. He acknowledged the bureaucracy of the federal government made his role challenging but highlighted his efforts to change about 70% of the executive staff.

Smith's controversial appointment as deputy director was due to his criminal background, having pleaded guilty to cocaine and marijuana distribution in 1998. During his time at the BOP, Smith traveled to various prisons, hosted a podcast called "Transparency Talks," and facilitated the visit of reality TV star Todd Chrisley, who had also been pardoned by Trump.

Chrisley has since used his podcast to criticize BOP staff, naming an Arizona prison employee who allegedly prevented a visiting family member from breastfeeding privately. Union officials have raised concerns about Smith's qualifications and the awarding of government contracts, including a $183,400 deal with a consulting firm run by Chrisley's former director.

Smith maintains that he had no involvement in these contracting decisions and that his nonprofit's media company is working on a documentary about the consulting firm, Precythe Sturm Advisory Group.