Is a prisoner entitled to access to the courts?

A prisoner's constitutional right of meaningful access to the courts, which underlies the issue here, is fundamental. Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. at 828, 97 S.Ct. at 1498. The reality and substance of any of a prisoner's protected rights are only as strong as his ability to seek relief from the courts or otherwise to petition the government for redress of the deprivation of his rights. Here, the burden the challenged disrespect rules places on this important right is substantial.