A man is awarded $15 million in a solitary confinement lawsuit.

A man who spent 22 months in solitary confinement is getting a huge payout from Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Stephen Slevin was reportedly severely neglected while in jail, forcing him to rip out his own tooth because he was not permitted to see a dentist.

The 59-year-old former inmate said his toenails grew so long that they curled around his feet and fungus grew on his skin because he was denied the privilege of taking a shower. He was incarcerated from 2005-2007 for a charge of driving under the influence.

Slevin was initially placed in a padded cell for several days but he was transferred to solitary confinement without any explanation from jail authorities or even a trial. A photo taken at his booking showed him clean shaven and healthy looking.

Two years later, his face was sunken in accentuated by long scraggly hair while severely depressed eyes stared back at the camera. That picture helped his case. The lawsuit has been settled, awarding Slevin $15.5 million.