In Forma Pauperis Proceedings Initiated by Prisoners under 28 U.S.C. § 1915

(a) Civil complaints filed by prisoners seeking in forma pauperis status under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 are subject to the provisions of the Prison Litigation Reform Act ("PLRA"). In order to promote the speedy, just and efficient administration of civil rights complaints subject to the PLRA, the court has established forms to be used by prisoners for filing civil rights actions. The prisoner/plaintiff should complete and file the court-approved forms when initiating a civil complaint. (b) The court-approved forms consist of (1) a cover sheet, (2) a complaint, (3) an application to proceed in forma pauperis, and (4) an authorization form.

The authorization form, when completed by the plaintiff, directs the agency holding the plaintiff in custody to forward to the clerk of court a certified copy of the plaintiff's institutional trust fund account and to disburse from the plaintiff's account the full statutory filing fee in amounts specified by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b). Forms may be obtained from the clerk of court. (c) Properly completing and filing the authorization form satisfies the plaintiff's obligation under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2) to submit a certified copy of the plaintiff's trust fund account with the complaint.