WASHINGTON, D.C. — Josh Smith announced his departure as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Monday. Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall formally announced Smith's departure in a note to staff on Tuesday morning.

A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed Smith's departure but provided no additional details. He served as deputy director for approximately one year.

Smith defended his approach to corrections by emphasizing rehabilitation and community reintegration. He said he believes the system should care about what kind of people are returned to neighborhoods. He described himself as tough on crime but restorative in nature because those individuals will eventually be neighbors.

During his tenure, Smith stated he replaced approximately 70% of the Bureau of Prisons executive staff, including several top wardens. He conducted unannounced visits to dozens of prisons across the country. He noted the challenges of operating within federal systems.

He said bureaucracy in government is difficult and added that, at the end of the day, bureaucracy is bureaucracy. He expressed hope that his efforts would initiate lasting change. He said he hoped what he was able to do was at least start a fire there.

The departure follows criticism from union officials and former employees regarding his conduct. Fernando Lopez, a retired Bureau of Prisons employee and local union official, stated he was forced to retire after criticizing Smith on Facebook. Lopez criticized his conduct during a prison visit on July 6, 2025.

Lopez alleged that he showed no interest in meeting with Bureau of Prisons employees and spent most of the visit speaking with inmates. Lopez alleged that he ordered Bureau of Prisons staff out of the room while he met with inmates, telling them he was one of them. He stated he does not recall the incident with Lopez. He said he has been challenging a lot of processes and that it is never going to be comfortable while he is around.

Former Bureau of Prisons employees created a Facebook parody account known as the Federal Bureau of Prisons Avengers. The Federal Bureau of Prisons Avengers account invited members to post memes as part of a farewell card for him.

Controversy also surrounded visits by Todd Chrisley, star of the reality show Chrisley Knows Best. The Bureau of Prisons facilitated visits by Todd Chrisley to prisons in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Union officials stated that Todd Chrisley was allowed to visit other Bureau of Prisons facilities besides Pensacola.

Todd Chrisley spoke in a podcast interview at the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola. A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed Todd Chrisley's visit to the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola. Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall appeared as a guest on Todd Chrisley's podcast.

Chrisley claimed credit for reporting staff to him and demanded terminations during prison visits. He said, 'Just so you know, I reported you. Stop running around Tucson in that camp over there, trying to figure out who got you. I got you. I reported you to Josh Smith … I want you terminated.'

He stated he did not facilitate any of Todd Chrisley's visits or appear as a guest on Chrisley's program. Questions also arose regarding a consulting contract with Precythe Sturm Advisory Group. The Bureau of Prisons partnered with Precythe Sturm Advisory Group in August 2024 to assist with hiring prison wardens. The contract with Precythe Sturm Advisory Group was valued at $183,400.

Precythe Sturm Advisory Group is run by Anne Precythe, the former director of the Missouri Department of Corrections. Prison Life Media released a documentary about Anne Precythe titled "Disruptors: Missouri, Anne Precythe" in July 2025. He runs a media company called Prison Life Media. He stated he had no role in any Bureau of Prisons contracting. He stated he disclosed that his nonprofit's media company was working on a documentary about Anne Precythe at the time her firm was retained.

Union officials stated that the tablets provided by Securus Technologies may create safety concerns for staff and be misused. He founded the nonprofit Fourth Purpose Foundation, which works with incarcerated people. He hosted a podcast called Transparency Talks during his tenure. He stated he plans to return to working at his nonprofit and media company.

Why It Matters

His departure concludes a one-year tenure marked by staff opposition and allegations of favoring inmates over employees. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency responsible for the custody and care of federal inmates. His background includes a criminal conviction and a presidential pardon, which shaped his public statements and policy approach.

The controversies involving Todd Chrisley and the Precythe Sturm Advisory Group contract reflect tensions between external partnerships and internal staff concerns. Union officials and former employees raised issues regarding safety and management practices. His plan to return to his nonprofit and media ventures indicates a shift away from federal administration.

Timeline

He pleaded guilty in 1998 to conspiring to possess and distribute cocaine and marijuana. President Donald Trump pardoned Josh Smith for drug-related crimes in 2021.

What's New

Research titled "Finalists Announced for the 2022 UPS George D. Smith Prize" was published in 2022 in ORMS News Group. The Federal Bureau is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency. Todd Chrisley is star of the reality show Chrisley Knows Best.

How Sources Differ

Regarding the extent of staff changes under him, primary sources and he served as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for approximately one year. In contrast, cbsnews.com reports that he stated he replaced approximately 70% of the Bureau of Prisons executive staff, including several top wardens.