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.

Any chance you can cite the case, when decision is published?

Feel however you want but whatever the judge says goes. If they want to dismiss a case for a lack of standing they will.

Law doesn't work like cryptocurrencies. Two different judges can see the same motions and make completely different judgements.

Not very good laws then innit? If you can read whatever you want as a judge.

Trial court judges generally do what they want, especially at the state level in the USA.

The appellate courts do the real work of determining the legality of the judge's decisions and fixing them where necessary. If you don't have the resources to marshall a competent appeal, then you're usually out of luck.