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Joshua J. Smith (born November 21, 1974) is an American government official serving as deputy director of the United States Bureau of Prisons. A former federal inmate, he was appointed to the role in 2025 following a career in business and involvement in initiatives related to prison conditions and reentry.[1][2][3]
Early life
Smith was born on November 21, 1974, in Clarksville, Tennessee. He grew up in a single-parent household and spent part of his childhood in public housing.[4]
Criminal conviction and incarceration
In his early twenties, Smith was convicted in federal court for involvement in drug trafficking and was sentenced to five years in prison.[1] He served part of his sentence at a federal prison camp in Kentucky.[2]
Business career
After his release from prison in 2003, Smith worked in the construction and home-services industries in Tennessee. He later founded Master Service Companies, a residential waterproofing and foundation repair business based in Knoxville.[5]
Under his leadership, the company expanded to multiple states and employed more than 180 people.[5] In 2019, Smith sold the company and subsequently became involved in nonprofit and reentry-related initiatives.[5]
Nonprofit and reentry initiatives
In 2019, Smith founded the Fourth Purpose Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on issues related to incarceration and reentry.[4]
Smith has also been involved in reentry housing initiatives in Knoxville, including the development of Valor Way, a residential program operated in partnership with Men of Valor that provides housing and support for men returning from prison.[6]
Public service
In 2019, Smith was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force, which examined sentencing and corrections policy in the state.[7]
In 2025, Smith was appointed deputy director of the United States Bureau of Prisons. His appointment received coverage from national and regional media outlets.[1][2][3]
Presidential pardon
On January 20, 2021, Smith was granted a full presidential pardon by President Donald Trump.[8][9]
Personal life
Smith is married and has four children. He resides in the Knoxville, Tennessee area.[4]
References
- Ortiz, Erik; Kosnar, Michael (2025-06-06). "Former federal inmate pardoned by Trump tapped as Bureau of Prisons deputy director". NBC News. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- Pavlo, Walter (2025-06-06). "Meet Joshua Smith, New Deputy Director Of Bureau Of Prisons". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- Mealins, Evan. "Tennessee prison reform advocate is first ex-inmate named to US prisons bureau leadership". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- Clark, Alexis (2020-01-05). "How an ex-con became a multimillionaire CEO". The Leaf-Chronicle. p. 1A, 4A. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- McDermott, Brenna. "Master Service founder sells company to start criminal justice reform foundation". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- Sloan, Silas; Turner, Devarrick. "Valor Way in Knoxville helps formerly incarcerated men 'restore their lives'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- "Gov. Bill Lee Appoints Criminal Justice Investment Task Force Leadership". www.tn.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- McDermott, Brenna. "Knoxville entrepreneur and prison reform advocate Josh Smith among Trump's pardons". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
- "Trump pardons four men with ties to Tennessee in last hours of presidency". The Tennessean. 2021-01-20. Retrieved 2026-03-23.