CALDWELL, OH — David Watkins, 57, was sentenced to eight years in prison — not death, his daughter said. As the new coronavirus continues to spread rapidly through Ohio’s prisons, Watkins and his family now fear for his life.

Watkins is an insulin-dependent diabetic, a kidney recipient and has high blood pressure, his daughter, Kwanza Maxwell, tells Patch. He was sentenced to prison after he was found guilty of trafficking drugs in 2019.

Within a month of his entering Noble Correctional Institution, a facility about 90 minutes east of Columbus, Watkins contracted pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. He’s particularly susceptible to illness because he takes immune system suppressing medications to ensure his donated kidney is not rejected by his body, Maxwell said.

With a suppressed immune system and other underlying medical conditions, Watkins now finds himself particularly at risk should he contract COVID-19. And he fears the virus may soon enter his prison.

Nearly 3,800 Ohio prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak began. Both Marion Correctional Institution and Pickaway Correctional Institution have been named hotspots for the virus. Nine inmates have died due to complications from COVID-19.

At least one prisoner at Noble is currently in isolation with COVID-19 like symptoms, according to data from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. With crowded living spaces, Watkins is sure that if the virus enters the prison, it will spread like wildfire.

“Beds are two and a half to three feet apart. You’re in constant contact with 240 inmates,” Watkins said in a video obtained by Patch. “They try to keep you from other units, but there are 240 inmates in a unit.”

Inmates are still eating elbow-to-elbow on cafeteria benches, they’re still using the same phones to make calls, and utilizing the same restrooms, Maxwell said. Watkins told his family he is considering not taking his immune system repressing medication, despite the risks that would pose for his kidney.

Knowing her father is effectively defenseless against COVID-19 has left Maxwell and her siblings terrified for their father’s life. The 33-year-old Maxwell, who works in health care, said she has been battling insomnia. Her mind rattles through all the threats posed to her father at night, leaving her restless.

“If he was to contract the virus, he has no fighting chance. He would probably fall victim to the virus,” she told Patch while fighting back tears.

Maxwell and her family have written pleading letters to any official with a semblance of clout, including Gov. Mike DeWine’s office, prison officials, attorneys and judges. They have gotten few responses.

“People are saying that inmates are using this as a get-out-of-free jail card,” Maxwell said. “By no means are we looking for a free ride. We would be fine with him coming home and then completing his sentence when the virus stops. Our No. 1 priority is his safety and health.”

Maxwell shared a wealth of images and videos of Watkins playing with his grandchildren before his incarceration. She described him as the epitome of a family man and the cornerstone of their get-togethers. All holidays were held at his house. He hosted a weekly family meal on Sundays. Maxwell wants her father to be able to finish his sentence, healthy and whole, and return to his family.

“This COVID-19 situation has been stressful for everyone…but for us, knowing our father is in a situation where he cannot protect himself from the virus…it’s a hopeless feeling. It’s feeling like we had a release date, but this has come into play and we have no idea if he’s going to make it home at all,” Maxwell said.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections did not immediately respond to Patch’s request for comment.

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