AceShowbiz - The infamous "Tiger King" star Joe Exotic, is in the spotlight again, but this time it's not for his wild antics. The reality TV star is battling a severe health issue while behind bars, adding another layer of drama to his already sensational story.

Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The former zookeeper and star of the 2020 hit Netflix docuseries "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness", is in quarantine after contracting scabies. Per the Mayo Clinic, scabies is a "contagious skin rash caused by a mite that burrows under the skin and lays eggs."

According to multiple reports, Joe Exotic is among 140 inmates dealing with the condition. His legal team reported that he had been experiencing symptoms including a rash and intense itching for over a month and a half before receiving proper medical treatment. Compounding the issue, Exotic claims that the prison initially lacked enough medication to treat the outbreak, affecting around 300 inmates in quarantine.

The situation has drawn significant attention to the conditions within the Federal Medical Center. Exotic's lawyer, Roger Roots, alleged that the former zookeeper observed "very unsanitary" conditions, including rats in the beds. However, a prison spokesperson denied such allegations, asserting that there is no vermin infestation and that they are committed to maintaining a "secure and humane" environment.

Joe Exotic, 61, is serving a 21-year sentence for plotting to hire a hitman to kill big-cat sanctuary owner Carole Baskin and violating federal wildlife laws. His conviction is part of a convoluted history that includes a long-standing feud with Baskin, multiple legal battles, and even a bankruptcy filing. He was also found guilty of violating the Endangered Species Act by killing five tigers to make space for other big cats.

Despite the grim scenario, Joe Exotic remains optimistic. His legal team mentioned that he is hopeful about being released in 2025 and is considering a future career in academia. This optimism is somewhat reassuring amid a troubling backdrop of serious health concerns and substandard prison conditions.

The Bureau of Prisons has maintained that they take "communicable infections seriously" and manage them through "a comprehensive approach that includes testing, treatment, prevention, education, and infection control measures." Nevertheless, the facility is facing a staffing crisis, including a shortage of medical personnel, which has complicated efforts to control the outbreak.

Joe Exotic's story continues to captivate audiences, but his current predicament underscores a harsh reality about prison life and the challenges of managing infectious diseases in such environments. As he battles scabies and waits for potential freedom, his saga adds another chapter to the stranger-than-fiction narrative that has fascinated the world.