Smith v. Bounds

HARRISON L. WINTER, Chief Judge:

At the time of argument, this litigation had been in progress for over 13 years. We have had three previous appeals1, and the underlying principles which govern the litigation have been decided by the Supreme Court. Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 97 S.Ct. 1491, 52 L.Ed.2d 72 (1977). It was held that the fundamental constitutional right of access to the courts possessed by prisoners in custody under state process required state prison authorities to assist inmates in the preparation and filing of *1301meaningful legal papers by providing prisoners with adequate law…