Paul Minix, Texas prisoner #638154, filed the instant § 1983 suit against several officials at the facility where he was incarcerated to seek redress for alleged acts of retaliation, discrimination, and harassment as well as purportedly false disciplinary charges. The district court dismissed the suit pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b) for want of prosecution. Minix argues that he did his best to comply with the district court’s orders and the dismissal was not warranted. Minix also moves this court *251 for copies of records and an evidentiary hearing.

We review the district court’s dismissal, which operates as one with prejudice due to the pertinent statute of limitations, for an abuse of discretion. Long v. Simmons, 77 F.3d 878, 880 (5th Cir. 1996); McNeal v. Papasan, 842 F.2d 787, 789-90 (5th Cir. 1988). When reviewing a dismissal with prejudice under Rule 41(b), we will conclude that there has been an abuse of discretion unless there is a clear record of delay or contumacious conduct by the plaintiff and the district court has expressly determined that milder sanctions would not encourage diligent prosecution, or the record shows that the district court employed lesser sanctions that proved to be futile. Berry v. CIGNA/RSI-CIGNA 975 F.2d 1188, 1191 (5th Cir. 1992).

The dismissal was based on Minix’s failure to follow a court order. The district court did not consider lesser sanctions before dismissing Minix’s suit. The district court abused its discretion in dismissing Minix’s suit. See Berry, 975 F.2d at 1191 & n. 6. Consequently, the judgment of the district court is VACATED, and this case is REMANDED for further proceedings. All outstanding motions are DENIED.