(a) General. A prisoner or parolee may be represented by an attorney at specific hearings. The sections concerning particular hearings and the prisoner's or parolee's rights at those hearings specify whether the prisoner or parolee may be represented by an attorney.

(b) Waiver. If a prisoner or parolee is entitled to representation by an attorney at a hearing, the prisoner or parolee may waive the right to an attorney. Department staff shall document the waiver.

(c) Indigents. If a prisoner or parolee is entitled to be represented by an attorney at a hearing, an attorney will be provided at state expense if the prisoner or parolee cannot afford to retain private counsel. A prisoner or parolee is presumed able to afford an attorney if the prisoner or parolee has one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) or more in cash, institutional trust account, savings account, checking account or any combination of cash and accounts. A prisoner or parolee with one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) must show that he or she has been unable to obtain an attorney for that amount before an attorney will be appointed at state expense.