Member Campaigns

The Endless Infection

Author:
Quincy McGraw
Artist:
Mia Bracali

In April of 2023, Remedy Project member Daron Nesbitt limped to the FCI Leavenworth Medical Center hoping for someone to finally help him. As he walked through the hallways, he was reminded of the catalyst of his insufferable pain, a moist black mold that infested every corner, wall, ceiling, and crevice in sight. The only times Mr. Nesbitt has not seen mold coating every surface were the four times over the last two years that the Leavenworth staff have painted over the walls, an absurd and inadequate remedy to a serious health concern not only for Mr. Nesbitt, but for every person who has to live in this uninhabitable environment.

Mr. Nesbitt arrived at the medical office desperate to find a solution for the excruciating and insufferable pain in his foot. Only two months into Mr. Nesbitt’s incarceration, he started to develop cuts under his toes, a minor injury that would, in a healthy environment, easily mend on its own. However, because of the filthy living conditions, especially in the showers which exposed these lesions to slippery black mold, his minor injuries were directly exposed and transformed into a debilitating wound. These injuries made normal functioning impossible for Mr. Nesbitt. He distressingly had to abandon playing basketball, one of the few things to bring him solace, and had to quit working in the kitchen because even just standing for a prolonged period of time became utterly unbearable.

After enduring this pain for over half a year, no matter how much he avoided walking on his foot, it was impossible for him to heal solely due to the infesting black mold. Mr. Nesbitt first went to Dr. Krane, who provided iodine patches to dry his toes, took a blood test, and did a biopsy of the skin under his foot. Dr. Krane failed to ever reach out again about the findings of the blood test or biopsy that Mr. Nesbitt was hopelessly and patiently waiting for. He was then switched to Dr. Armes, who could not find any medical record of the biopsy or blood test that was taken, and because of Dr. Krane’s irresponsibility in a simple medical procedure, Mr. Nesbitt had to start this process to heal all over again. After being given various creams from Dr. Armes that brought no further treatment or relief, he was moved again to another doctor, Dr. Hannah.

He at this point had been soullessly moved amongst several different doctors, and he longed for someone to take his condition seriously and humanely help him get relief. Dr. Hannah was far from that, being impatient and accusing him of using the iodine patches, those that Dr. Krane had given him, for something criminal. Additionally, Dr. Hannah refused to give him sufficient treatment by failing to administer tests and refusing to thoroughly examine his condition, stingily offering just two Neosporin packets. When Mr. Nesbitt returned to her pleading for more Neosporin, one of the first things to give him pain relief, she denied him more. After experiencing such neglect from these “medical practitioners,” he put off seeing another one for a few months, still having to live through agony and debilitation every day. The last doctor seen denied him absolutely any treatment. 

The doctors of FCI Leavenworth hold a responsibility to treat and care for all incarcerated people, and every doctor Mr. Nesbitt has encountered has performed unacceptable medical malpractice. He has a fundamental right to have adequate care which has been denied.

Outside of the walls of FCI Leavenworth, Dr. Krane, Dr. Armes, Dr. Hannah, and the other unnamed doctor would arguably be revoked from practicing medicine because of their unprofessionalism in handling medical records, disregard for their patient's welfare, and inhumanity and heartlessness in helping someone in pain.

FCI Leavenworth failed Mr. Nesbitt countless times, denying him sufficient healthcare and a healthy environment to heal and live in. Hope for recovery within the prison has been lost, and now it is essential for outside help to compassionately listen and advocate for his proper treatment. 

Join us in demanding justice for Daron Nesbitt, starting with proper treatment of his foot infection at FCI Fort Dix, where he has been transferred. Additionally, we demand a full investigation into the malpractice of all doctors involved in failing to properly care for his condition, and the staff who have neglected to properly address the mold which plagues the environment of all people living there. We are requesting your support so that Mr. Nesbitt will be adequately cared for, the living conditions will be corrected and not violate basic health standards, and the staff of FCI Leavenworth will be disciplined for their professional inadequacy. 

Note: we received photos of the black mold at FCI Leavenworth in May of 2024 from Remedy Project member John Beck. Mr. Back died at FCI Leavenworth on September 8th, 2024. You can view his photos here.

In April of 2023, Remedy Project member Daron Nesbitt limped to the FCI Leavenworth Medical Center hoping for someone to finally help him. As he walked through the hallways, he was reminded of the catalyst of his insufferable pain, a moist black mold that infested every corner, wall, ceiling, and crevice in sight. The only times Mr. Nesbitt has not seen mold coating every surface were the four times over the last two years that the Leavenworth staff have painted over the walls, an absurd and inadequate remedy to a serious health concern not only for Mr. Nesbitt, but for every person who has to live in this uninhabitable environment.

Mr. Nesbitt arrived at the medical office desperate to find a solution for the excruciating and insufferable pain in his foot. Only two months into Mr. Nesbitt’s incarceration, he started to develop cuts under his toes, a minor injury that would, in a healthy environment, easily mend on its own. However, because of the filthy living conditions, especially in the showers which exposed these lesions to slippery black mold, his minor injuries were directly exposed and transformed into a debilitating wound. These injuries made normal functioning impossible for Mr. Nesbitt. He distressingly had to abandon playing basketball, one of the few things to bring him solace, and had to quit working in the kitchen because even just standing for a prolonged period of time became utterly unbearable.

After enduring this pain for over half a year, no matter how much he avoided walking on his foot, it was impossible for him to heal solely due to the infesting black mold. Mr. Nesbitt first went to Dr. Krane, who provided iodine patches to dry his toes, took a blood test, and did a biopsy of the skin under his foot. Dr. Krane failed to ever reach out again about the findings of the blood test or biopsy that Mr. Nesbitt was hopelessly and patiently waiting for. He was then switched to Dr. Armes, who could not find any medical record of the biopsy or blood test that was taken, and because of Dr. Krane’s irresponsibility in a simple medical procedure, Mr. Nesbitt had to start this process to heal all over again. After being given various creams from Dr. Armes that brought no further treatment or relief, he was moved again to another doctor, Dr. Hannah.

He at this point had been soullessly moved amongst several different doctors, and he longed for someone to take his condition seriously and humanely help him get relief. Dr. Hannah was far from that, being impatient and accusing him of using the iodine patches, those that Dr. Krane had given him, for something criminal. Additionally, Dr. Hannah refused to give him sufficient treatment by failing to administer tests and refusing to thoroughly examine his condition, stingily offering just two Neosporin packets. When Mr. Nesbitt returned to her pleading for more Neosporin, one of the first things to give him pain relief, she denied him more. After experiencing such neglect from these “medical practitioners,” he put off seeing another one for a few months, still having to live through agony and debilitation every day. The last doctor seen denied him absolutely any treatment. 

The doctors of FCI Leavenworth hold a responsibility to treat and care for all incarcerated people, and every doctor Mr. Nesbitt has encountered has performed unacceptable medical malpractice. He has a fundamental right to have adequate care which has been denied.

Outside of the walls of FCI Leavenworth, Dr. Krane, Dr. Armes, Dr. Hannah, and the other unnamed doctor would arguably be revoked from practicing medicine because of their unprofessionalism in handling medical records, disregard for their patient's welfare, and inhumanity and heartlessness in helping someone in pain.

FCI Leavenworth failed Mr. Nesbitt countless times, denying him sufficient healthcare and a healthy environment to heal and live in. Hope for recovery within the prison has been lost, and now it is essential for outside help to compassionately listen and advocate for his proper treatment. 

Join us in demanding justice for Daron Nesbitt, starting with proper treatment of his foot infection at FCI Fort Dix, where he has been transferred. Additionally, we demand a full investigation into the malpractice of all doctors involved in failing to properly care for his condition, and the staff who have neglected to properly address the mold which plagues the environment of all people living there. We are requesting your support so that Mr. Nesbitt will be adequately cared for, the living conditions will be corrected and not violate basic health standards, and the staff of FCI Leavenworth will be disciplined for their professional inadequacy. 

Note: we received photos of the black mold at FCI Leavenworth in May of 2024 from Remedy Project member John Beck. Mr. Back died at FCI Leavenworth on September 8th, 2024. You can view his photos here.