Formerly incarcerated deputy director says first year at Federal Bureau of Prisons strengthened focus on staff safety and culture

Josh Smith, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, reflected on his first year in office in an interview on the Transparency Talks podcast, saying the experience has deepened his appreciation for the agency’s public-safety role and the people who work in it.

"I am the deputy director of the Bureau of Prisons," Smith said, calling his position both an honor and a daily source of surprise. He described the agency’s scale — roughly 36,000 staff members and 156,000 inmates — and said that scope makes the bureau’s mission central to community safety.

Smith told the host he has visited more than 60 facilities since taking the post and that those visits shaped his priorities. "I've done a lot of listening," he said, describing staff recalls and face‑to‑face meetings in which initial skepticism of his appointment softened as staff judged his effort and intent.

A recurring theme was balancing accountability with opportunities for change. Smith said he talks directly with inmates about being accountable and about preparing for life after custody, but also stressed he will pursue those who bring drugs and other contraband into facilities. "I'm coming after the contraband," he said, framing the work as protecting staff and improving public safety.

Smith described changes intended to lift morale and operational effectiveness: condensing outdated policies after frontline input, creating direct channels for staff feedback and empowering wardens and facilities staff with clearer authority and accountability. He credited a combination of internal staff work and external support for enabling those changes.

Asked how being formerly incarcerated has shaped his leadership, Smith said it gives him credibility when engaging with inmates and helps bridge perspectives with staff. He recalled an inmate telling him that, in 30 years of custody, only twice had someone with a badge shaken his hand; Smith said these personal connections inform his approach to rehabilitation and accountability.

Smith said family support — particularly from his wife, Tracy — helped him accept the demands of the role. He also credited visible White House and Department of Justice backing for giving the bureau the authority and resources to pursue reforms.

The interview closed with Smith expressing hope that, years from now, staff will say the bureau became a place where employees were proud to work and that investment and leadership helped change lives and improve public safety.