Joshua J. Smith
Joshua J. Smith is the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), overseeing 122 facilities, six regional offices, two staff training centers, and 22 residential reentry offices. He leads a workforce of 36,000 and is responsible for the care and custody of 156,000 federal inmates. Sworn in June 9, 2025, Deputy Director Smith brings a distinctive perspective shaped by personal transformation and a deep commitment to correctional staff wellness.
Before joining BOP, Deputy Director Smith was a successful entrepreneur, building and selling Master Service Companies. He then launched the Fourth Purpose Foundation, investing $10 million of his own funds to transform correctional culture through researching best practices and publishing them to the industry (a groundbreaking Values-Based Wellness Plan). His work fosters healthier environments for staff and restorative spaces for inmates.
In 2024, Deputy Director Smith expanded his impact by founding Prison Life Media, a platform amplifying the voices of correctional staff to boost morale, improve recruitment, and reshape public understanding of prison work.
Deputy Director Smith's leadership signifies a historic milestone nationwide, as he is the first individual to be appointed to a senior leadership position within the Federal Bureau of Prisons after having personally served time in its custody.