bounds smith argued november decided april fundamental constitutional right access courts held require prison authorities assist inmates preparation filing meaningful legal papers providing prisoners adequate law libraries adequate assistance persons trained law younger gilmore pp affirmed marshall delivered opinion brennan white blackmun powell stevens joined powell filed concurring opinion post burger filed dissenting opinion post stewart post rehnquist post filed dissenting opinions burger joined jacob safron special deputy attorney general north carolina argued cause petitioners brief rufus edmisten attorney general barry nakell appointment argued cause filed brief respondents andrew miller attorney general alan katz assistant attorney general filed brief commonwealth virginia amicus curiae urging reversal justice marshall delivered opinion issue case whether must protect right prisoners access courts providing law libraries alternative sources legal knowledge younger gilmore held per curiam services constitutionally mandated petitioners officials state north carolina ask us overrule recent case reasons explained decline invitation reaffirm previous decision respondents inmates incarcerated correctional facilities division prisons north carolina department correction filed three separate actions eventually consolidated district eastern district north carolina respondents alleged pertinent part denied access courts violation fourteenth amendment rights state failure provide legal research facilities district granted respondents motion summary judgment claim finding sole prison library state severely inadequate legal assistance available inmates held basis younger gilmore respondents rights access courts equal protection laws violated indication assistance initial stage preparation writs petitions recognized however determining appropriate relief ordered presents difficult problem view north carolina decentralized prison system rather attempting dictate precisely course state follow charge department correction task devising constitutionally sound program assure inmate access courts left state choice alternative easily economically fulfill duty suggesting program make available lawyers law students public defenders might serve purpose least well provision law libraries supp app state responded proposing establishment seven libraries institutions located across state chosen serve best prison units addition state planned set smaller libraries central prison segregation unit women prison plan inmates desiring use library request appointments given transportation housing necessary full day library work addition collection lawbooks library stock legal forms writing paper typewriters use copying machines state proposed train inmates research assistants typists aid fellow prisoners estimated ultimately inmates per week use libraries although inmates facing deadlines might wait three four weeks turn library respondents protested plan totally inadequate sought establishment library every prison district rejected respondents objections finding state plan economically feasible practicable one fairly efficiently run insure inmate time prepare petitions briefing ordered whether state required provide independent legal advisors inmates addition library facilities final decision district held petitioners constitutionally required provide legal assistance well libraries found library plan sufficient give inmates reasonable access courts decision ross moffitt directly point supported state claim need furnish attorneys bring habeas corpus civil rights actions prisoners district approved library plan state submitted application federal law enforcement assistance administration leaa grant cover cost setting libraries training librarian inmate clerks state represented leaa library project benefit inmates state giving meaningful effective access ultimate result diminution number groundless petitions complaints filed inmate able determine greater extent whether rights violated judicial evaluation petitions facilitated brief respondents sides appealed portions district orders adverse appeals fourth circuit affirmed respects save one found library plan denied women prisoners access rights men research facilities since justification discrimination appeals ordered eliminated state petitioned review granted certiorari affirm ii established beyond doubt prisoners constitutional right access courts recognized right years ago struck regulation prohibiting state prisoners filing petitions habeas corpus unless found properly drawn legal investigator parole board ex parte hull held violated principle state officers may abridge impair petitioner right apply federal writ habeas corpus see also cochran kansas recent decisions struck restrictions required remedial measures insure inmate access courts adequate effective meaningful thus order prevent effectively foreclosed access indigent prisoners must allowed file appeals habeas corpus petitions without payment docket fees burns ohio smith bennett recognized adequate effective appellate review impossible without trial transcript adequate substitute held must provide trial records inmates unable buy griffin illinois similarly counsel must appointed give indigent inmates meaningful appeal convictions douglas california essentially standards access applied johnson avery struck regulation prohibiting prisoners assisting habeas corpus applications legal matters since inmates alternative form legal assistance available reasoned ban jailhouse lawyers effectively prevented prisoners unable reasonable adequacy prepare petitions challenging legality confinements johnson unanimously extended cover assistance civil rights actions wolff mcdonnell even rejected claim indigent defendants constitutional right appointed counsel discretionary appeals reaffirmed state must assure indigent defendant adequate opportunity present claims fairly ross moffitt eaningful access courts touchstone see petitioners contend however constitutional duty merely obliges allow inmate writ writers function argue johnson avery supra long inmate communications legal problems restricted obligation expend state funds implement affirmatively right access argument misreads cases johnson wolff mcdonnell supra issue whether access rights ignorant illiterate inmates violated without adequate justification since inmates unable present claims writing courts held constitutional right help johnson avery supra white dissenting required least allowing assistance literate fellows holding attempt set forth full breadth right access mcdonnell example already adequate law library prison case thus decided backdrop availability legal information inmates capable using johnson although petitioner originally requested lawbooks see reach question invalidated regulation effect illiterate inmates neither case considered question face today neither inconsistent requiring additional measures assure meaningful access inmates able present cases moreover decisions consistently required shoulder affirmative obligations assure prisoners meaningful access courts indisputable indigent inmates must provided state expense paper pen draft legal documents notarial services authenticate stamps mail must forgo collection docket fees otherwise payable treasury expend funds transcripts state expenditures necessary pay lawyers indigent defendants trial gideon wainwright argersinger hamlin appeals right douglas california supra say economic factors may considered example choosing methods used provide meaningful access cost protecting constitutional right justify total denial thus neither availability jailhouse lawyers necessity affirmative state action dispositive respondents claims inquiry rather whether law libraries forms legal assistance needed give prisoners reasonably adequate opportunity present claimed violations fundamental constitutional rights courts although essentially true petitioners argue habeas corpus petition civil rights complaint need set forth facts giving rise cause action see fed rules civ proc hardly follows law library legal assistance essential frame documents verge incompetence lawyer file initial pleading without researching issues jurisdiction venue standing exhaustion remedies proper parties plaintiff defendant types relief available importantly course lawyer must know law order determine whether colorable claim exists facts necessary state cause action lawyer must perform preliminary research less vital pro se prisoner indeed despite less stringent standards pro se pleading judged haines kerner often important prisoner complaint set forth nonfrivolous claim meeting procedural prerequisites since may pass complaint sufficiency allowing filing forma pauperis may dismiss case deemed frivolous see moreover state files response pro se pleading undoubtedly contain seemingly authoritative citations without library inmate unable rebut state argument enough answer evaluate facts pleaded light relevant law even dedicated trial judges bound overlook meritorious cases without benefit adversary presentation cf gardner california fact one consolidated cases initially dismissed judge later ruled respondents possibly younger gilmore cited reject state claim inmates use tools trade legal profession making libraries useless assuring meaningful access brief petitioners first place claim inconsistent state representations leaa grant application supra argument access adequately protected allowing inmates help legal problems importantly experience indicates pro se petitioners capable using lawbooks file cases raising claims serious legitimate even ultimately unsuccessful finally note petitioners doubts efficacy libraries district initial decision left free choose another means assuring access also argued libraries forms legal assistance unnecessary assure meaningful access light decision ross moffitt case held right prisoners adequate opportunity present claims fairly require appointment counsel file petitions discretionary review state courts moffitt rationale however supports result reach decision moffitt noted addressing discretionary review petition primarily concerned correctness judgment rather review generally granted case raises issue significant public interest jurisprudential importance conflicts controlling precedent moffitt held pro se applicants present claims adequately appellate courts decide whether criteria met already counsel initial appeals right thus likely appellate briefs previously written behalf trial transcripts often intermediate appellate opinions use preparing petitions review contrast case concerned large part original actions seeking new trials release confinement vindication fundamental civil rights rather presenting claims passed two courts frequently raise heretofore unlitigated issues constantly emphasized habeas corpus civil rights actions fundamental importance constitutional scheme directly protect valued rights johnson avery wolff mcdonnell applications discretionary review need apprise appellate case possible relevance development law prisoner petitions first line defense constitutional violations need new legal research advice make meaningful initial presentation trial case far greater required file adequate petition discretionary review hold therefore fundamental constitutional right access courts requires prison authorities assist inmates preparation filing meaningful legal papers providing prisoners adequate law libraries adequate assistance persons trained law holding today course reaffirmation result reached younger gilmore gilmore necessary element preceding analysis precedential weight strongly reinforces decision substantive question presented gilmore state affirmative federal constitutional duty furnish prison inmates extensive law libraries alternatively provide inmates professional legal assistance jurisdictional statement brief appellants explicitly decided question affirmed judgment district reliance johnson avery cf rule affirmative answer given unanimously full briefing oral argument gilmore relied upon without question subsequent decisions cruz hauck vacating remanding reconsideration light gilmore decision legal materials need furnished county jail inmates cruz beto gilmore cited approvingly support inmates right access courts chaffin stynchcombe gilmore cited approvingly decision removing roadblocks disincentives appeal recently wolff mcdonnell despite differences issues case unanimously reaffirmed gilmore requires prison officials provide indigent inmates access reasonably adequate law library preparation legal actions experience gilmore decision suggests reason depart federal government made impressive efforts fulfill gilmore mandate establishing law libraries prison programs combinations see brief respondents ex correctional administrators supported programs acknowledged value resources support including substantial funding leaa come many national organizations noted adequate law libraries one constitutionally acceptable method assure meaningful access courts decision gilmore foreclose alternative means achieve goal nearly half district columbia provide degree professional legal assistance prisoners brief respondents ex programs take many imaginative forms may number advantages libraries alone among alternatives training inmates paralegal assistants work lawyers supervision use paraprofessionals law students either volunteers formal clinical programs organization volunteer attorneys bar associations groups hiring lawyers consultant basis use staff attorneys working either new prison legal assistance organizations part public defender legal services offices legal services plans result efficient skillful handling prisoner cases also avoid disciplinary problems associated writ writers see johnson avery procunier martinez independent legal advisors mediate resolve administratively many prisoner complaints otherwise burden courts convince inmates grievances prison legal system thereby facilitating rehabilitation assuring inmate treated unfairly estimated lawyers needed serve legal needs entire national prison population nevertheless legal access program need include particular element discussed encourage local experimentation plan however must evaluated whole ascertain compliance constitutional standards iii finally petitioners urge us reverse decision federal courts sit state prisons brief petitioners district exceeded powers puts sic place prison administrators recognized judicial restraint often appropriate prisoners rights cases also repeatedly held policy encompass failure take cognizance valid constitutional claims procunier martinez supra petitioners hyperbolic claim particularly inappropriate case courts scrupulously respected limits role district initially held petitioners violated fundamental constitutional guarantee access courts thereupon thrust prison administration rather ordered petitioners devise remedy violation strongly suggesting prefer plan providing trained legal advisors petitioners chose establish law libraries however plan approved minimal changes strong objections respondents prison administrators thus exercised wide discretion within bounds constitutional requirements case judgment affirmed footnotes district originally granted summary judgment state officials one three consolidated actions appeal appeals fourth circuit appointed counsel remanded case suggestion consolidated two cases still pending district north carolina inmates housed prison units located counties units hold fewer inmates brief petitioners state proposed inclusion following lawbooks north carolina general statutes north carolina reports north carolina appeals reports strong north carolina index north carolina rules code annotated title title title rules appellate procedure title rules civil procedure title reporter federal reporter federal supplement black law dictionary sokol federal habeas corpus lafave scott criminal law hornbook copies cohen legal research criminal law reporter palmer constitutional rights prisoners proposal adheres list approved minimum collection prison law libraries american correctional association aca american bar association aba american association law libraries except questionable omission several treatises shepard citations local rules see aca guidelines legal reference service correctional institutions tool correctional administrators ed hereafter aca guidelines aba commission correctional facilities services bar association support improve correctional services basics offender legal services rev ed respondents also contended libraries contain additional legal materials urged creation large central circulating library district order two changes plan extra copies habeas corpus civil rights act volumes provided reporter advance sheets discarded libraries slowly build duplicate sets found prison units small require libraries cost additional books proposed respondents surpass usefulness respondents filed question library plan petitioners challenge sex discrimination ruling see also eskridge washington prison provision trial transcript may conditioned approval judge draper washington lane brown public defender approval may required obtain coram nobis transcript rinaldi yeager unconstitutional require reimbursement cost trial transcript unsuccessful imprisoned defendants long district iowa state must provide transcript proceeding roberts lavallee state must provide preliminary hearing transcript gardner california state must provide habeas corpus transcript williams oklahoma city state must provide transcript trial mayer chicago state must provide transcript nonfelony trial cases rejected indigent defendants claims transcripts done either adequate alternative available used britt north carolina request plainly frivolous prior opportunity obtain transcript waived maccollom standards applied maccollom supra plaintiffs stipulated district general adequacy library see mcdonnell wolff supp neb although contested certain limitations use claims resolved lower courts see indeed decision supported holding procunier martinez related context invalidated california regulation barring law students paraprofessionals employed lawyers representing prisoners seeing inmate clients even though california prison law libraries permits inmate legal assistance gilmore lynch supp nd cal aff sub nom younger gilmore even significantly prisoners question actually represented lawyers thus despite challenged regulation inmates receiving legal assistance prisoners aided writ writers nevertheless found regulation impermissibly burdened right access cf estelle gamble holding must treat prisoners serious medical needs constitutional duty obviously requiring outlays personnel facilities brief petitioners tr oral arg source current legal information particularly important prisoners learn whether claims new decisions might apply retroactively invalidate convictions propriety practices us courts may also impose additional burdens appointing counsel indigents civil suits see johnson avery maccollom inconsistent decision case held proceeding applicant unconstitutionally deprived access courts denial transcript original trial pursuant failed take direct appeal thereby secure transcript newly asserted claim error frivolous demonstrated need transcript without library legal assistance however inmates current opportunity present claims fairly blackmun concurring judgment valid claims undoubtedly lost since main concern protecting ability inmate prepare petition complaint wolff mcdonnell irrelevant north carolina authorizes expenditure funds appointment counsel state proceedings prisoners whose claims survive initial review courts see stat supp brief petitioners accompanying text cf ross moffitt moreover statute cover appointment counsel federal habeas corpus state federal civil rights actions encompassed right access similarly state creation advisory inmate grievance commission see stat et seq supp brief petitioners certainly noteworthy innovation answer constitutional requirement legal assistance prisoners nearly state corrections commissioners prison wardens treatment directors responding national survey supported creation expansion prison legal services cardarelli finkelstein correctional administrators assess adequacy impact prison legal services programs crim almost believed programs adversely affect discipline security increase hostility toward institution rather felt legal services provide safety valve inmate grievances reduce inmate power structures tensions unresolved legal problems contribute rehabilitation providing positive experience legal system see also aca guidelines supra national sheriffs inmates legal rights standard pp bluth legal services inmates coopting jailhouse lawyer capital rev sigler new partnership corrections neb rev see dept justice leaa compendium selected criminal justice projects dept justice leaa grant consortium furnish legal counsel prisoners final report program narrative aba basics program see supra makes grants state local bar associations prison legal services libraries publishes complete technical assistance manual offender legal services rev ed see also aba resource center correctional law legal services providing legal services prisoners rev american correctional association publishes guidelines legal reference service correctional institutions ed american association law libraries publishes werner manual prison law libraries members offer assistance prison law library personnel see also aba joint committee legal status prisoners standards relating legal status prisoners standards commentary crim rev tent draft national conference commissioners uniform state laws uniform corrections code tent draft national advisory commission criminal justice standards goals corrections standards example staff attorneys assisted law students national center used consortium furnish legal counsel prisoners see supra state local bar associations established number legal services library programs support aba basics program see nn supra prisoners legal services new york plans use lawyers legal assistants seven offices give comprehensive legal services state inmates offender legal services supra iv programs described providing legal services prisoners supra see cardarelli finkelstein supra leaa consortium reports supra champagne haas impact johnson avery prison administration rev cf supp congress establishing legal services declared many citizens availability legal services reaffirmed faith government laws aba joint committee supra see stevenson reed supp nd miss bryan werner gaglie ulibarri corpus estelle supp sd tex justice powell concurring decision today recognizes prison inmate constitutional right access courts assert procedural substantive rights may available state federal law purport pass kinds claims constitution requires state federal courts hear wolff mcdonnell extended right access recognized johnson avery civil rights actions arising civil rights act suggest constitution required actions heard federal griffin illinois required provide trial records indigents appeal plurality concurring opinions explicitly recognized constitution require appellate review state convictions similarly holding implies nothing constitutionally required scope review prisoners claims state federal understanding join opinion chief justice burger dissenting general agreement justice stewart justice rehnquist join opinions write emphasize theoretical practical difficulties raised holding leaves us unenlightened source right access courts perceives requirement foot bill assuring access prisoners want act legal researchers brief writers holding view implications doubt fully analyzed consequences adequately assessed noted first access courts respondents seeking purpose direct appellate review criminal convictions abundant access purposes guaranteed prior decisions douglas california griffin illinois independently rather underlying substantive right prisoners mount collateral attacks state convictions ordering state expend resources support federally created right collateral review understandable federal right question constitutional nature example state may required eighth amendment provide inmates food shelter medical care see estelle gamble similarly indigent defendant right sixth amendment places upon state affirmative duty provide counsel trials may result deprivation liberty argersinger hamlin finally constitutional principles due process equal protection form basis requirement expend resources support convicted defendant right appeal see douglas california supra griffin illinois supra however federal right question statutory rather constitutional nature duty state merely negative may act manner interfere individual exercise federal rights ex parte hull state may interfere prisoner access federal screening petitions directed johnson avery state may prohibit prisoners providing assistance preparing petitions directed federal courts prohibiting state interfering federal statutory rights however materially different requiring provide affirmative assistance exercise novel doubtful proposition view federal government statute give individuals certain rights require state constitutional matter fund means exercise rights cf national league cities usery substantive right state prisoners collaterally attack federal convictions entered state competent jurisdiction clear broad federal constitutional right collateral attack see stone powell whatever right exists solely creation federal statute see swain pressley ante opinion burger schneckloth bustamonte powell concurring absent federal constitutional right attack convictions collaterally discern right find basis federal may require fund costly law libraries prison inmates proper relations preclude intervention complex intractable problems prison administration procunier martinez draw one two conclusions holding may read implying right prisoners collaterally attack convictions constitutional rather statutory nature alternatively may read holding compelled federal courts subsidize exercise federally created statutory rights neither novel propositions sustainable reasons stated adhere either view therefore dissent record reflects prison officials way interfered inmates use resources filing collateral attacks prison regulations permit access inmate writ writers prisoner entitled store reasonable numbers lawbooks cell justice stewart chief justice joins dissenting view importance writ habeas corpus constitutional scheme fundamental access prisoners courts purpose presenting complaints may denied obstructed wolff mcdonnell quoting johnson avery basic principle five years ago made quantum jump conclusion state constitutional obligation provide law libraries prisoners custody younger gilmore today seeks bridge gap analysis made gilmore authority questionable despite valiant efforts find reasoning unpersuasive says constitutional duty upon state provide prisoners meaningful access federal courts duty effectuated adhering unexplained judgment gilmore case years experience pro se habeas corpus petitions member circuit judge convinced meaningful access federal courts seldom realistically advanced device making law libraries available prison inmates untutored use vast majority cases access law library convinced simply result filing pleadings heavily larded irrelevant legalisms possessing veneer lacking substance professional competence hand justice rehnquist correct belief convict state prison pursuant final judgment competent jurisdiction constitutional right meaningful access federal courts order attack sentence state constitutional duty make access meaningful extent constitutional duty state simply deny obstruct prisoner access courts johnson avery supra even arguably affirmative constitutional obligation provide law libraries prison inmates respectfully dissent justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting opinion case serves unusual purpose supplying good line reasoning available support per curiam opinion almost six years ago younger gilmore made pretense containing reasoning reasoning today appears long held prisoners right access courts order file petitions habeas corpus subsequent decisions expanded concept today describes meaningful right access told right convicted prisoner meaningful access extends requiring state furnish prisoners law libraries aid piecing together complaints filed courts analysis places questions prisoner access slippery slope reject believe early cases upon relies totally different rationale underlies present holding nothing constitution requires convict serving term imprisonment state penal institution pursuant final judgment competent jurisdiction right access federal courts order attack sentence first case upon opinion relies ex parte hull held invalid regulation michigan state prison provided legal documents briefs petitions motions habeas corpus proceedings appeals prisoners wish file first submitted legal investigator state parole board documents opinion official properly drawn directed designated hull advised petition addressed intercepted referred legal investigator reason deemed inadequate held regulation invalid said clearly whether petition writ habeas corpus addressed federal properly drawn allegations must contain questions alone determine respondents constitutional arguments grounded equal protection clause effect rich prisoners employ attorneys turn consult law libraries prepare petitions habeas corpus whereas indigent prisoners superficial appeal see griffin supra douglas supra believe nonetheless fail ross moffitt held although earlier cases required state provide meaningful access judicial remedies indigents right direct appeal indigents adequate opportunity present claims fairly within adversary system event opinion today appear proceed upon guarantee equal protection laws guarantee least merit found fourteenth amendment constitution proceeds instead enunciate fundamental constitutional right access courts ante found nowhere constitution prisoner incarcerated pursuant final judgment conviction prevented physical access federal courts order may file therein petitions relief congress authorized courts grant accorded constitutional right access courts cases articulated reasoned way ex parte hull supra respondents make additional claims prison regulations invidiously deny access knowledge law regulations inconsistent johnson supra procunier supra wolff supra since none reasons present fundamental constitutional right access courts announces today created virtually whole cloth little reference constitution supposed derived decisions recognized one occasion lawful imprisonment properly results retraction rights justified considerations underlying penal system price johnston pell procunier convicted prisoner exhausted avenues direct appeal longer accorded every presumption innocence former constitutional liberties may substantially restricted exigencies incarceration placed see meachum fano come point prisoner seeking collaterally attack final judgment conviction right physical access federal courts essential congressional provisions federal habeas review state convictions ex parte hull supra furnishing transcript indigent makes showing probable cause order may realistic chance asserting right review upheld maccollom supra held ross moffitt supra douglas holding right counsel first direct appeal right extended discretionary second appeal intermediate state appellate state last resort state last resort seem fortiori follow case incarcerated prisoner pursued avenues direct review constitutional right whatever state appointed counsel represent collateral attack conviction none cases ever suggested prisoner right see johnson avery yet logical destination reasoning today meaningful access courts include law libraries convincing reason also include lawyers appointed expense state library may assist inmates filing papers contain bare factual allegations injustice appointment counsel assure legal arguments advanced made degree sophistication believe anything constitution requires result although state federal penal institutions might matter policy think wise implement program conclude indicating respect younger gilmore relegating final section set apart body reasoning younger supports result reached appeals case opinion notable unbridged distance premise conclusion opinion today least makes reasoned defense result reaches persuaded reasons fact slightest reluctance overrule younger reverse judgment appeals case