In October 2022, the Court reinstated the Prisoner Assistance Program (PAP) as a pilot program in the Western District of N.C.  The purpose of the program is to assist the administration of justice by providing incarcerated pro se litigants in civil rights cases who are proceeding in forma pauperis pursuant 28 U.S.C. Sect. 1915, and whose cases are ready for trial, with the opportunity to receive the assistance of a lawyer. 

• Pro se litigants do not have the absolute right to the opportunity to receive the appointment of counsel.
• Whether to provide counsel remains within the discretion of the District Court, and the Court may request that an attorney represent any person who is unable to afford counsel.
• The Court finds it appropriate to request assistance from a pool of volunteer lawyers when pro se civil rights case involving an indigent prisoner ready for trial.

Prisoner Assistance Program Volunteer Application Form

Prisoner Assistance Program Implementation Order