Wilson v. Miller et al

Filing 36

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet on 4/24/2017. (nmg)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
JAMES A. WILSON,
Plaintiff,
V.

DETECTIVE JORDEN MILLER, et al.,
Defendants.

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) Civ. No. 13-1763-GMS
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MEMORANDUM

1. Introduction. The plaintiff James A. Wilson ("Wilson"), an inmate at the James T.
Vaughn Correctional Center ("VCC"), Smyrna, Delaware, filed this lawsuit pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 1983. He proceeds prose and has paid the filing fee. (See D.I. 1.)
2. Background. Wilson requests counsel on the grounds that he needs assistance to
amend his complaint because he has been unable able to visit the prison law library since the
February 1, 2017 VCC hostage incident. He notes that he has paid the filing fee and "this is not
an informa pauperis case." (D.I. 33.) Wilson was sent a deficiency notice when he filed the
request for counsel without participating in the VCC e-filing pilot program. (D.I. 35.) He states
that he does not have access to the e-mail system and wants to use the regular mail.
3. Request for Counsel. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(l), the court may request an
attorney to represent any personal unable to afford counsel. Section 1915(e)(l) confers the
district court with the power to request that counsel represent a litigant who is proceeding in
forma pauperis. To date, Wilson has not sought informa pauperis status and there has been no
finding of indigency. Hence, he does not qualify for counsel under§ 1915. Therefore, the court
will deny the request without prejudice to renew upon a finding of Wilson's indigency. (D.I. 33.)

4. E-Filing Pilot Program. The VCC participates inane-filing pilot program with the
court, see September 8, 2016 standing order, In re: Pilot Program for E-Filing Documents in the
District of Delaware by Inmates at the James T Vaughn Correctional Center, and inmate

participation is mandatory. The program was initiated to reduce the costs of filings by inmates
which includes an inmate's mailing and photocopying costs. In no way does thee-filing pilot
program deny inmates access to the courts. When inmates do not follow the mandates of theefiling program, they are sent a deficiency notice and advised that the non-conforming document
will be docketed but not considered until the deficiency is corrected. Plaintiff was sent a
deficiency notice after he sent items for filing through the regular mail.
5. Here, Wilson indicates that he does not wish to participate in the pilot program. The
program is for the benefit of inmates as well as the court. The court encourages Wilson's
participation in the program and notes that, since the hostage incident, other inmates at the VCC
have successfully participated in thee-filing pilot program and filed documents. The court will
entertain future motions should plaintiff continue to have concerns regarding his participation in
thee-filing pilot program.
6. Conclusion. For the above reasons, the court will deny Wilson's request for c
(D.I. 33.) An appropriate order will be entered.

&d 'J-.tf

Wii;gton, Delaware

,2017

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