Kenneth A. Appleby v. Larry Meachum

The pro se plaintiff in this case is a state prisoner. He brought this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against various officials of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. He seeks injunctive relief and damages as a consequence of an alleged deprivation of his right to practice his religion, the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment, and denial of due process and equal protection of law.

The district court granted a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, but denied a motion for appointment of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d), 1 which provides that in a civil case “[t]he…