Bronson v. Lechward

Judge COLINS.

Purcell Bronson (Bronson) appeals an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County (trial court) which denied his “Petition for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.”

Bronson was a prisoner incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Pittsburgh. Prison officials discovered that Bronson possessed a homemade knife and charged him under prison rules with possession of contraband. A hearing was held before a Department of Corrections (Department) hearing officer. Bronson was found guilty and was placed in disciplinary custody for a period of ninety days.

On October 28,…