Tiger King star Joe Exotic has been placed in quarantine after contracting scabies in prison. Joseph Maldonado-Passage‘s legal team told The Dallas Morning News was isolated after being infected with scabies.”
The Mayo Clinic described scabies as a “contagious skin rash caused by a mite that burrows under the skin and lays eggs.”
The short-lived Netflix star is currently incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth. In summary, Joe is serving a 21-year sentence for 1) scheming to hire a hitman to murder nemesis Carole Baskin and 2) violating federal wildlife laws.
The outbreak:
A Fort Worth prison rep confirmed an outbreak of scabies in a housing unit. “Visitation is temporarily suspended to the unit.” They added that the facility “is currently in a state of crisis with staffing, and that includes medical employees.”
The prison declined to comment on confinement conditions for anyone in custody but did note that precautions were put in place to reduce the risk of exposure. The New York Post added that they take “communicable infections seriously.”
“We make every effort to ensure the physical safety and health of the individuals confined to our facilities through a controlled environment that is secure and humane,” the spokesperson said.
Joe has allegedly been experiencing symptoms – including a rash and itching – for over a month and a half. His legal team alleged that the reality star had observed “very unsanitary” conditions in the prison, including rats in beds.
Joe’s sentence:
Following his original sentencing hearing, a new sentencing hearing was held on January 28, 2022. His nemesis, Carole Baskin, testified that she was fearful that Joe Exotic would threaten her if released. A federal judge sentenced the ‘Tiger King’ to 21 years … a reduction of only one year.
Joe Exotic and his legal team remain positive at the prospect of being freed in 2025. The ‘Tiger King’ has been reported to be “looking into a career in academia.”
Drop your thoughts about Joe Exotic and the prison scabies oubreak below.
