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

Josh Smith, the former No. 2 official at the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) who received a presidential pardon for drug-related offenses, abruptly resigned from his position on Monday. Smith, who had served as deputy director, expressed gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity to serve in his administration, an appointment that followed his pardon in 2021.

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Three decades ago, I walked through the gates of a federal prison as an inmate. Years later, after receiving a presidential pardon, I was given the opportunity to walk back through those gates as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, serving the very President that gave me that pardon. For that, I will always be grateful to President Donald J. Trump.

"Three decades ago, I walked through the gates of a federal prison as an inmate. Years later, after receiving a presidential pardon, I was given the opportunity to walk back through those gates as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, serving the very President that gave me that pardon. For that, I will always be grateful to President Donald J. Trump," Smith wrote on his personal X account.

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I believe we should really care about what kind of people we are turning back out into our neighborhoods. I'm a tough-on-crime person, but I'm restorative in nature because they're going to be my neighbor.

Smith's tenure was marked by efforts to overhaul the bureau's staffing and enhance rehabilitative services for inmates. He stated his belief in preparing prisoners for their return to society, saying, "I believe we should really care about what kind of people we are turning back out into our neighborhoods. I'm a tough-on-crime person, but I'm restorative in nature because they're going to be my neighbor."

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Bureaucracy in government is difficult.

Despite his stated goals, Smith acknowledged the challenges posed by government bureaucracy, which he found difficult and unpopular with some staff. He noted that he was proud to have replaced approximately 70% of the executive staff, including several top wardens, and focused on leadership development. Smith's appointment itself was controversial due to his criminal record, having pleaded guilty in 1998 to drug conspiracy charges and served a five-year sentence.

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At the end of the day, bureaucracy is bureaucracy. I hope what I was able to do was at least start a fire there.