UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY

SHAD RICHARD THOMPSON, Case No. 25–cv–17966–ESK Petitioner,

v. OPINION WARDEN KELLY & FERGUSON, et al., Respondents. KIEL, U.S.D.J. Petitioner Shad Richard Thompson, a prisoner detained in FCI Fairton, New Jersey, submitted a petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to

(Petition). (ECF No. 1.) In the Petition, petitioner seeks injunctive relief in the form of an order directing the Bureau of Prisons to treat his wrist. (Id. p. 7.) He also seeks damages for pain and suffering. (Id.) I lack jurisdiction to consider the Petition pursuant to § 2241. “[W]henever the challenge ultimately attacks the ‘core of habeas’—the validity of the continued conviction or the fact or length of the sentence—a challenge, however denominated and regardless of the relief sought, must be brought by way of a habeas corpus petition. Conversely, when the challenge is to a condition of confinement such that a finding in plaintiff’s favor would not alter his sentence or undo his conviction, [a civil rights action] is appropriate.” Leamer v. Fauver,

(3d Cir. 2002). Petitioner does not seek release from custody; he seeks medical treatment and monetary damages. Therefore, a civil rights action is the appropriate method of seeking that relief. I will convert the filing to a civil rights action in light of petitioner’s pro se status. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 54.3, the Clerk shall not be required to enter any suit, file any paper, issue any process, or render any other service for which a fee is prescribed, unless the fee is paid in advance. Under certain circumstances, however, this Court may permit an indigent plaintiff to proceed in forma pauperis. The entire fee to be paid in advance of filing a civil complaint is $ 405. That fee includes a filing fee of $ 350 plus an administrative fee of $ 55, for a total of $ 405. A prisoner who is granted in forma pauperis status will, instead, be assessed a filing fee of $ 350 and will not be responsible for the $ 55 administrative fee. A prisoner who is denied in forma pauperis status must pay the full $ 405, including the $ 350 filing fee and the $ 55 administrative fee, before the complaint will be filed. Title 28, section 1915 of the United States Code establishes certain financial requirements for prisoners who are attempting to bring a civil action in forma pauperis. Under § 1915, a prisoner seeking to bring a civil action in forma pauperis must submit an affidavit, including a statement of all assets and liabilities, which states that the prisoner is unable to pay the fee.

(a)(1). The prisoner also must submit a certified copy of his inmate trust fund account statement(s) for the six-month period immediately preceding the filing of his complaint.

(a)(2). The prisoner must obtain this certified statement from the appropriate official of each correctional facility at which he was or is confined during such six-month period. (Id.) Petitioner may not have known that he must pay the filing fee, and that even if the full filing fee, or any part of it, has been paid, the Court must dismiss the case if it finds that the action: (1) is frivolous or malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.

(e)(2)(B) (in forma pauperis actions); 28 U.S.C. § 1915A (dismissal of actions in which prisoner seeks redress from a governmental defendant). If the Court dismisses the case for any of these reasons, § 1915 does not suspend installment payments of the filing fee or permit the prisoner to get back the filing fee, or any part of it, that has already been paid. If the prisoner has, on three or more prior occasions while incarcerated, brought in federal court an action or appeal that was dismissed on the grounds that it was frivolous or malicious, or that it failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, he cannot bring another action in forma pauperis unless he is in imminent danger of serious physical injury.

(g). The Court will direct the Clerk to send petitioner an in forma pauperis application. The Clerk will be directed to reopen the matter once petitioner submits a new in forma pauperis application with the six-month statement or pays the filing fee. An appropriate Order accompanies this Opinion. /s/ Edward S. Kiel EDWARD S. KIEL UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Dated: December 1, 2025