Man Left in Solitary for 2 Years Gets $15.5 Million Compensation

Fungus grew on his skin and he was forced to pull out his own tooth

In a horrifying tale of malfeasance, Stephen Slevin spent 22 months utterly neglected in solitary confinement in a New Mexico jail. He was forced to pull out his own tooth because he couldn't see a dentist, fungus grew on his skin because he was denied showers, and "his toenails growing so long that they curled around his foot," NBC reports. Not surprisingly Slevin's mental health "was severely compromised," and his lawyer says that he'll never fully recover.

On top of that, he probably should not even have been in jail, because he was never tried or sentenced. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving a stolen car - but the car turned out to be on loan to him by a friend.

He's been awarded $15.5 million in a settlement with Dona Ana County, but there's still no explanation for why he was so badly treated.

Slevin's lawyer told NBC that he was put in solitary because that's how the jail deals with depressive or suicidal inmates.

In addition to battling mental health issues caused by his terrible experience, Slevin has lung cancer.

A Dona Ana County spokesperson told NBC that no one has been fired over Slevin's treatment, but the jail is making an effort to improve care for prisoners with mental illness.

Via NBC.

Does $15.5m seem like enough compensation?

[PoliticalSpice]

Nothing can make it up to him, but they should pay and hopefully go broke. To the extent his cancer could have been treated earlier, the county should also pay for any medical efforts to remove and eliminate the cancer. The cops responsible for this should be imprisoned, and lose their pensions...

[PNWest]

How could this happen?

[PoliticalSpice]

@PNWest Cops suck.

[Rocker]

I bet even the Al Quada (spl?) inmates at the prison in Cuba got medical attention.

[Jet_Silverman]

I don't think he deserved any compensation. He was driving drunk. He put people's lives at risk. Hope he dies of that cancer.

[PoliticalSpice]

@Jet_Silverman So you believe cops should just pick people up and throw them prison. No trial. Do you also support cops who shoot unarmed people on the theory the guy deserved the death penalty and trials are too costly?

[Malitia_Man]

@Politix

You guys must like the DrudgeReport or something... Every time I read an article over there, it mysteriously ends up here.... Good for you guys!!!

[wonka45ACP]

Not surprising a failure in our justice system, but this is after all, a country that just randomly releases criminals.

[zachsquatch]

My thoughts are that he was punished correctly. Too many people are killed every year due to drunk drivers.

[FDG]

Huh? He didn't even have a trial! He may not have even been drunk.

[Slowmo]

He wasn't even tried or convicted. The man had to pull his own tooth (which indicates that he was in extreme, prolonged pain and most likely had an infection that very well could've killed him). He was left in solitary for two years. His toenails were grown around his feet. He's suffered mental trauma that he will never recover from. Oh, did I mention that he was never tried nor convicted. This was blatant cruel and unusual punishment, to the point of compensating him 15mil$, but you think it was correct?? Scary. How many people have been killed by someone who was speeding? Betcha you don't always stay under the speed limit.

[GuyFawkes]

Ok, Pol Pot.

[martydotcom]

@ zachsquatch I guess your thoughts aren't too valid if a jury his peers awarded him 15.5 mil. Read the whole story on Drudge - NM, no different than other states, have zero capability to deal with the mentally ill. It's either jail or the streets homeless

[martydotcom]

why am I not surprised you're from Rand Paul looney land

[Yank]

The money is fine, but something like this doesn't happen with out criminal negligence. Those who did this need to spend the next few years in jail.

[NOObama]

Jesus! And to think Its happening here!
We might as well be considered a 3 rd world country. Maybe We need some foreign aid!

[UKviewpoint]

I think you are getting foreign aid. $17 trillion from the Chinese.

[catiz]

I hope he enjoys every penny and gets the best medical treatment on earth.

[wonka45ACP]

He may not have a lot to spend after cancer treatments.

[FDG]

@wonka45ACP Better start cooking the Meth now. :)

[catiz]

@wonka45ACP I'd rather have the money gone than my life.

[wonka45ACP]

@catiz
This was 6 yrs ago, I agree my life more important than money.

[Dan_Tien]

I'll bet his lawyer gets 2/3 of the money.

[riggers]

EVERY person working in that jail that was privy to his mistreatment should be thrown in jail, lose their jobs, and have huge civil penalties so that whenever they got a job again, they'd still have to remember what they did to this man.

[jessejaymes]

Meanwhile in related news all you have to do in Washington D.C. is serve 4 years and you get a lifetime pension, free medical and an expense account. Without a bit of fungus.

[jessejaymes]

and you get to be a lobbyist if the taxpayers throw you out on your ear.

[stepped_in_it]

Yes, but do they get butt fungus and curly fry toe nails? Most likely nope. Jeez, the injustices of a public career! ;-)

[lawnmowrman]

$15.5 million is inadequate for the loss of two years of freedom. $438 million would be a fair reward. Yes I did do the math

[stepped_in_it]

OK, do the math please. Not that I don't agree with a decent award, but over 1/2 million a day? Wondering where this new math starts?

[lawnmowrman]

@stepped_in_it A quarter million $s an hour would be highway robbery if it were offered as compensation for the loss of one hour of my freedom. That's the # I used.

[Milchuck]

Where was his lawyer, his family, when he was sitting in jail?

[MattiMuck]

Yeah that's one of the many questions I would like answered; something stinks here...

[wonka45ACP]

Don't know where he was then, but I can tell you where he is now. fallow the money.

[kyrebel]

His family will be there for him now. He will probably need help counting his money. I'd like to see his new bride in a week or two, bet she's a super model, lol.

[GuitarGuy19]

This is why we need to get rid of jails completely.

[NTBFW]

That's right. Shoot the bastards and be done with them.

[GuitarGuy19]

Bahaha. I'm gonna guess you could feel my sarcasm, and then decided to reply sarcastically as well.

[MattiMuck]

According to the article we don't actually know why he was treated so badly. There are way too many questions that need to be asked and answered...presumably most of them were covered in the lawsuit, but I highly doubt the entire ordeal is as cut and dry as this short article makes it out to be.

[AbsoluteTruth]

Well disturbingly, he needed food and water to survive that long which meant the prison had full knowledge of his whereabouts(to feed him) and they are charged with managing his case because they took him into custody. So this was clearly them in the wrong to the millionth power. He was detained without trial and tortured. I'd say anyone with knowledge of this who didnt stop it is culpable or accessory to human rights violations and should be severely punished. In the same measure it was doled out. Suppose we did this to one of their children? Just because he's not valuable to them, they treat him worse than a stray dog. Evil.

[ErnestPayne]

Interesting. The case hit the mainstream media when the Canadian Broadcasting Corporations "As it Happens" radio programme interviewed the mans lawyer. It makes the gulag seem "kind".

[Slowmo]

No nothing could compensate AND a lot of people should, not only be fired, but should also be criminally prosecuted. Stop with letting law enforcement get away with ANYTHING. They're supposed to set a higher example. But they'll throw 15mil at it and never admit wrongdoing or hold anyone accountable. This lack of accountability is why some law enforcement and government get out of control. The lack if consequences for crimes tells them that they are above the law. It also tells them that they are better or superior than other citizens. Fast N Furious ring a bell? I mean, damn..isn't wrong wrong? Prosecute a few if these people and make an example out of them. I don't know of many politicians who would be eager to go to prison...let them know that they can go and I bet things might be run a little better.

[BossTweed]

What ever happened to that Muslim Extremist who murdred all those serving in the military and others at Ft Hood????

[AnnieO]

Apparently he's growing his beard. I'll be glad to finally see that jerk in court.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/01/justice/texas-h...

[Drake_Burrwood]

Money wise, yes.. jail time.. how about let his jailers walk in his shoes.

[Slimgoody]

I know those behind bars treated worse that this

[MOVet]

Nothing can compensate this man for what he had to go through. That said I can already see the next few months headlines of how this jail will appeal the ruling and drag out the settlement past this mans demise.

[awrub]

Who ever was responsible for such an inhuman act must not only be fired and Jailed for a long time, but prison Guards must also answer for not checking up on him for such a long time