This appeal comes from judgment in one of the thousands of prisoner civil rights cases on the district court dockets of this circuit. Most of these cases are lying dormant because of the hopelessness of applying the usual rules to incoherent and undecipherable pro se complaints, frequently false and frivolous. In other instances the court does give the case attention, but only by looking at the complaint, deciding its probable lack of merit, and dismissing on the ground of frivolousness or failure to state a claim.
Where the prisoner has not been required and allowed to state the specifics of his claim, dismissal at this stage may be premature and require reversal on appeal. That is our view of the present appeal. After collating Isiah Green’s complaints throughout five volumes of record, we are compelled to remand some of those claims to the district court. Before addressing Green’s complaints, we review the proper method of screening pro se prisoner civil rights suits. It employs procedures under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) (1982) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) that have been made available by this court during the intervening years of the рresent litigation.
*1119 I. SCREENING THE PRO SE COMPLAINT: § 1915(d) AND RULE 12(b)(6)
In
Spears v. McCotter,
Title 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) allows a litigant to commence an action in federal court
in forma pauperis
(IFP) if he is unable to afford the cost of litigation. To ensure that this provision is nоt abused, Congress authorized district courts to dismiss an IFP proceeding under § 1915(d) “if the allegation of poverty is untrue, or if satisfied that the action is frivolous or malicious.” A district court may dismiss an IFP proceeding for frivolousness or maliciousness at any time, before or after service of process and before or after the defendant’s answer.
See Spears,
It is, of course, not always easy to determine whether a claim is frivolous simply by examining the pleadings. Prisoner complaints are notoriously difficult to decipher, and pro se pleadings must be construed liberally.
Haines v. Kerner,
To further aid in the development of the facts of a case, in
Spears
we authorized district courts to direct magistrates to hold an evidentiary hearing to determine if a claim is frivolous under § 1915(d). It was our beliеf that a “magistrate’s findings and recommendations should prove of greater aid than a prisoner’s written answers on a questionnaire.”
District courts are vested with especially broad discretion in making the determination of whether an IFP proceeding is frivolous.
See Jones v. Bales,
Unlike most litigants, prisoners have everything to gain and nothing to lose by filing frivolous suits. Filing a suit
in for-ma pauperis
costs a prisoner little or nothing; time is usually of little importance to a prisoner and prisoners are not often deterred by the threat of possible sanctions for malicious or frivolous actions or perjury. Moreover, a prisoner, while he may be unsuccessful, can at least look forward to “a short sabbatical in the nearest federal courthouse.”
Cruz v. Beto,
The difficult task is “winnow[ing] out the wheat from the unusual amount of chaff necessarily presented in a system which fosters pro se litigation.”
Watson v. Ault,
We emphasize the uniqueness of a § 1915(d) determination. It is not to be confused with determinations made under the Federal Rules.
See Anderson,
IFP litigation undеr § 1915 is of a “fundamentally different nature.”
Anderson,
Proper use of § 1915(d) procedures should enable a district court to determine at the earliest possible stages in pro se litigation whether there is any merit to an IFP proceeding. Of course, our discussion of
Spears
should not be interpreted to mean that all or even most prisoner claims require or deserve a
Spears
hearing. A district court should be able to dismiss as frivolous a significant number of prisoner suits on the complaint alone or the complaint together with the
Watson
questionnaire. An early determination of the merits of an IFP proceeding provides a significant benefit to courts (because it will allow them to use their scarce resources effectively and efficiently), to state officials (because it will free them from the burdens of frivolous and harassing litigation), and to prisoners (because courts will have the time, energy and inclination to give meritorious claims the attention they need and deserve). “We must take advantage of every tool in our judicial workshop.”
Spears,
In this case the magistrate did not hold an evidentiary hearing. Also, no review seems to have been made to review Green’s claims undеr § 1915(d) or Rule 12(b)(6) to
*1121
determine whether they adequately stated a claim against each defendant. According to recent Supreme Court decisions, in order to state a § 1983 cause of action for violation of rights afforded by the Fourteenth and Eighth Amendments, a prisoner must allege facts sufficient to establish that prison officials were deliberately indifferent to those rights.
See, e.g., Daniels v. Williams,
— U.S. -,
II. ISIAH GREEN’S CASE
A. Green’s Complaints
Over a period of five years from October of 1978 to October of 1983 Green mailed to the federal district clerk’s office a steady paper stream of some eleven pleadings plus numerous affidavits and other instruments which were filled with surplusage and con-clusory claims of unconstitutional treatment. A paraplegic, Green complained of his hospital ward confinement and all restrictions on his movement and access that were not shared by other prisoners, along with other grievances.
B. Disposition in the District Court
Green’s claims were dismissed at different stages and for different reasons. For example, his claims that he was denied a reasonable opportunity to cоntest his assignment to administrative segregation and that he was denied privileges available to other inmates which should have been reasonably available to him were dismissed on the ground that they failed to state a claim on which federal relief could be granted. Many of his claims were dismissed by summary judgment, and the ruling on some of the claims was that “good faith” immunity protected the defendants.
C. Prior Proceedings in This Court
When this appeal
1
first came to the panel, we followed the lead of the
Johnson
2
decision and directed that Green’s equitable and legal claims be referred to the district court that fashioned the
Ruiz
class action injunctive decree.
Green v. McKaskle,
D. The Merits of This Appeal
1. Applicable Law:
In evaluating the claims of constitutional deprivation made by Green, we are met with a preliminary question of whether the definition of those deprivations has been enlarged by the decrees entered in the
Ruiz
class action. In December 1974, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas certified a plaintiff class composed of all past, present and future inmates confined by the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC). The class brought suit challenging the constitutionality of almost all aspects of confinement in TDC prisons. After a lengthy trial ending September 20, 1979, the court detailed the “constitutional infirmities [which] pervade the TDC prison system.”
Ruiz v. Estelle,
Upon remand of
Johnson v. McKaskle,
the
Ruiz
court stated that, for purposes of establishing liability for damages under § 1983,
“Ruiz
law” would include not only the conclusions of law set forth in its opiniоn in
Ruiz v. Estelle,
First, applying
Ruiz
law retroactively would be either unfair or unnecessary. Prison officials are liable for damages in suits brought by prisoners under § 1983 only if their conduct violates “clearly established” rights.
Harlow v. Fitzgerald,
Second, the
Ruiz
court was incorrect in stating that its remedial decree and all subsequent stipulations, plans and court orders could serve as a basis for a § 1983 damage claim. No doubt the
Ruiz
court’s delineation of constitutional rights, as affirmed by this court or unchallenged by the parties, is important and may be grounds for § 1983 liability in the
Ruiz
court or other courts. Furthermore, the
Ruiz
order may bear on a qualified immunity defense. A remedial decree affirmed on appeal might be important for purposes of providing notice to prison officials of clearly established rights.
See, e.g., Williams v. Bennett,
The law has traditionally distinguished between constitutional rights and remedies enforcing those rights.
Cf. Chelentis v. Luckenbach S.S. Co.,
The next question is whether remedial decrees create "rights ... secured by the ... laws,” 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (1976), sufficient to serve as a basis for liability under § 1983. For two reasons we think that they do not. First, while the Supreme Court has been divided over what statutes may serve as a basis for liability under § 1983, the Court, and lower courts, have never expressed any doubt that § 1983 provides a cause of action only for deprivations of constitutional or statutory rights.
See, e.g., Maine v. Thiboutot,
The need to distinguish between the right and the remedy is particularly important in a conditions of confinement suit. Many of the details of the injunctive relief are negotiated and settled by the parties. Even where the court enters its own decree (which cannot go beyond acceptable remedies for constitutional requirements), the parties may thereafter agree on and obtain substantial modifications of the court’s decree. They mаy arrive at agreed stipulations that are extremely detailed which can and do go far beyond constitutional requirements. While it may be possible to question the wisdom of setting forth such detailed prescriptions in court orders enforceable by contempt, unquestionably such detail provides significant benefits to prisoners. Allowing a prisoner to bring a damage claim under § 1983, in addition to contempt proceedings, for a violation of a court order approving stipulations and plans would discourage prison officials from agreeing to such benefits.
Another consideration is that prison officials need latitude in setting priorities for *1124 the implementation of the remedial decree. Prison officials have limited resources with which to comply with the usual wide-ranging remedial decrees entered in prison class actions. Acting in good faith they may be compelled to choose, perhaps after consulting the class representatives, where to place available resources. If individual prisoners can seek damages for violations of every detail of a remedial decree, compliance would bе deterred by the hopelessness of defendants’ position.
Finally, allowing remedial orders to serve as a basis for § 1983 liability would raise serious problems regarding the ability to give notice to potential defendants preparing themselves conscientiously for the shelter of qualified immunity. A prison official is entitled to the defense of qualified immunity “insofar as [his] conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.”
Harlow v. Fitzgerald,
2. Constitutional Case or Controversy
As one ground for its grant of summary judgment in favor of defendants, the district court concluded that Green’s claims could be dismissed because they did not stаte a constitutional case or controversy. According to the court, “nowhere does plaintiff Green allege that he has suffered actual injury. There is no substantiation of his claims of pain, suffering, and humiliation that would constitute a basis for awarding him damages, or present a case or controversy justifiable by the federal courts.”
While there is no question that a federal court must be presented with a “case or controversy” before it can sit in judgment of a dispute, we do not agree with the district court’s conclusion that Green’s claims did not fulfill this jurisdictional requirement. Greеn repeatedly alleged that his constitutional rights were violated. He also repeatedly alleged that he had received injuries due to those violations. While Green stated on several occasions in his pleadings that he could not prove the actual extent of his injuries, this does not defeat his right to maintain an action for damages for the alleged violation of constitutional rights. A plaintiff may recover nominal as well as punitive damages even if a violation of his civil rights causes no actual injury.
Farrar v. Cain,
3. Green’s Specific Claims
Boiling down the complaints in these record volumes, we arrive at seven specific claims which deserve discussion,
a. Green alleged that the defendants had denied him a reasonable opportunity to challenge his assignment to administrative segregation. The trial court dismissed this claim as not being one for which relief could be granted, citing Young v. Wainwright,449 F.2d 338 , 339 (5th Cir.1971) (“classification of inmates is a mattеr of prison administration and management with which federal courts are reluctant to inter *1125 fere except in extreme circumstances”), and Jones v. United States,534 F.2d 53 , 54 (5th Cir.1976), cert. denied,429 U.S. 978 ,97 S.Ct. 487 ,50 L.Ed.2d 586 (1976) (prison officials have broad discretion, free from judicial interference, in classifying prisoners in terms of their custodial status). We agree with the district court that both Young and Jones give prison officials broad discretion in classifying inmates. But when regulations governing the administration of state prisons create a liberty interest in remaining free from the restraints accompanying confinement in administrative confinement, a prisoner is entitled to the minimum requirements of procedural due process. Hewitt v. Helms,459 U.S. 460 , 471-72,103 S.Ct. 864 , 871,74 L.Ed.2d 675 , 688 (1983); Mitchell v. Hicks,614 F.2d 1016 , 1018-19 (5th Cir. 1980); Wright v. Enomoto,462 F.Supp. 397 (N.D.Cal. 1976), summarily aff'd,434 U.S. 1052 ,98 S.Ct. 1223 ,55 L.Ed.2d 756 (1978).
Green’s pleadings do therefore state a claim for relief. He alleges that his due process rights were violated when he was transferred to administrative segregation because he was not given the opportunity to object to his change in classification. If he could support his claim by showing that TDC’s prison regulations authorized his transfer to administrative segregation only for specified reasons and that the procedure allowed no protection of this liberty interest, Green could prove a violation of his due process rights. See Mitchell,614 F.2d at 1019 .
b. Green alleged that the defendants viоlated his right to equal protection while he was in administrative segregation because he was denied the same privileges, exercise periods and educational rehabilitative programs open to other prisoners. Quoting Newman v. State of Alabama,559 F.2d 283 , 291 (5th Cir.1977), the district court dismissed this claim under Rule 12(b)(6) on the ground that “[t]he Constitution does not require that prisoners ... be provided with any and every amenity which some person may think is needed to avoid mental, physical and emotional deterioration.” Prison officials may, of course, arbitrarily determine whether to provide prisoners with privileges amounting to more than “reasonably adequate food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care, and personal safety.” Id. But the state’s power to distinguish between prisoners is always subject to the constitutional requirement that substantial and purposeful difference in treatment have some rational basis rather than being wholly arbitrary and capricious. Ful-ford v. King,692 F.2d 11 , 13 (5th Cir. 1982); see Nadeau v. Helgemoe,561 F.2d 411 , 416 (1st Cir.1977). It may be highly unlikely that Green can justify his claim or raise a fact issue that the denial of his privileges met these requirements. Except for some denials of a fundamental right or use of a suspect classification, prison poliсy can be based on such considerations as administrative convenience, expense or security. Id. See also Dorrough v. Hogan,563 F.2d 1259 , 1262-63 (5th Cir.1977) (restricting privileges afforded to prisoners in administrative segregation in federal prison did not violate equal protection because it was a necessary part of prison security). Green, however, has stated a claim.
We likewise remand to the district court Green’s claims that he was discriminated against because he was handicapped. There may, of course, be a rational reason why a handicapped prisoner is not allowed the freedom of movement and access that other prisoners have. “TDC has no obligation to make prison life the same for physically handicapped inmates as it is for others.” Ruiz,503 F.Supp. at 1346 . If, however, possible justification is entirely lacking, Green may have stated a claim against one or more of the defendants. In deciding a defense of qualified immunity, the district court will follow the procedure *1126 explained in Elliott v. Perez,751 F.2d 1472 (5th Cir.1985).
d. Green complained at length about the denial of food, clothing, exercise and sanitation. He alleged, for example, that he was forced to crawl to the commоde in his cell to wash himself. The district court acted prematurely in dismissing these claims on the ground of the qualified immunity of the defendants. The Fifth Circuit stated in September of 1977 that a state must “furnish[] its prisoners with reasonably adequate food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care, and personal safety” to satisfy constitutional requirements. Newman,559 F.2d at 291 .
e. Green alleged that while in administrative segregation and in the hospital his only access to the courts was his ability to check out two to three books each day. The TDC policy on the use of legal materials by prisoners in administrative segregаtion, which was filed with the trial court, confirms Green’s allegation. There is no showing, however, why this restriction on access to legal materials was justified under the requirements of the Constitution. See Bounds v. Smith,430 U.S. 817 ,97 S.Ct. 1491 ,52 L.Ed.2d 72 (1977); Morrow v. Harwell,768 F.2d 619 (5th Cir.1985). Summary judgment against Green’s claim was not justified by this record.
The preceding claims should not have been dismissed as they were by the district court. It may be that some or all of them may still be properly disposed of by summary proceedings. The district court may give the parties an opportunity to submit further support for their respective positions before moving to trial on the merits.
f. We agree with the trial court’s summary judgment against Green’s claim of denial of access to religious services. The Constitution requires that “reasonable opportunities must be afforded to all prisoners to exercise ... religious freedom.” Cruz v. Beto,405 U.S. at 322 n. 2,92 S.Ct. at 1081 n. 2,31 L.Ed.2d at 268 n. 2 (1972). Green attached to his objections to the magistrate’s report a copy of Warden Purs-ley’s order that the Huntsville Jaycees assist Green in attending a Baptist church service every Sunday. Apparently the order was largely carried out. Although this was not enough for Green — there was more than one service per day available which he would have liked tо attend and he was prevented by circumstances from attending an occasional service — this order provided Green a reasonable opportunity to practice his religion. His constitutional right to freedom of religion was not violated.
g. Green made numerous claims of denial of proper medical care. The Eighth Amendment only protects Green from “deliberate indifference to [his] serious medical needs.” Estelle v. Gamble,429 U.S. 97 , 106,97 S.Ct. 285 , 292,50 L.Ed.2d 251 , 267 (1976). Green conceded in his brief that “the district court may well have been correct in concluding that most of the facts concerning his medical treatment did not cross the ‘deliberate indifference’ threshold.” We agree with this assessment. On appeal, however, Green asserts that the facts regarding two allegations of his medical treatment — lack of proper medical facilities for paraplegics and lack of a physician in treating paraplegics — were sufficient to withstand summary judgment. With this we do not agree.
Green's claim that he was denied proper medical facilities revolves around his claim that he was denied a bed equipped with a proper mattress and trapeze. This is in essence a claim that he was subjected to the danger of developing bedsores, as Green explicitly stated in his pleadings. There is no question that allowing bedridden prisoners to develop bedsores may demonstrate deliberate indifference to the needs of those prisoners. See, e.g., Ruiz v. Estelle, 503 *1127 Green, however, never F.Supp. at 1346 indicated in any of his pleadings nor did his medical records indicate that he ever developed bedsores. Moreover, Green did not contest the fact that he was provided with assistance in turning in his bed in order to prevent the development of bedsоres. He thus has not raised an issue of deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Furthermore, the mere claim that he was not afforded a doctor who specialized in the treatment of paraplegia or a trained physical therapist does not, of itself, state a claim of deliberate indifference.
We therefore affirm the district court’s judgment in part and reverse it in part. The case is remanded to that court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART AND REMANDED.
Notes
. This court reversed the district court in a prior interlocutory appeal.
See Green v. Estelle,
. In
Johnson v. McKaskle,
. Green’s appeal raised fоur principal issues: (1) the preclusive effects of equitable relief granted in a class action on subsequent equitable claims brought by members of the class; (2) the proper procedures for disposing of individual prisoner suits in the wake of
Ruiz v. Estelle,