No, you absolutely can, but you need representation. Most prisoner rights suits are started without lawyers, and the courts won't generally allow class actions

No, you absolutely can, but you need representation. Most prisoner rights suits are started without lawyers, and the courts won't generally allow class actions without a lawyer, so there aren't many filed. My case involved access to news and mail delivery. The mail delivery claim is left open for a future class action as the judge made an excellent ruling on it, just short of handing me victory. The person behind me can cite that persuasive ruling to bring a class action if they can find representation.