The Constitution of the United States prohibits cruel and unusual punishment in the Eighth Amendment, which states: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."[1]
Historically, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Eighth Amendment to prohibit punishments that are "grossly disproportionate" to the crime committed or that "shock the conscience" of the court.[2] This has led to rulings prohibiting certain types of punishments, such as execution of the intellectually disabled[3] and certain juvenile offenders[4], as well as restrictions on the use of prolonged solitary confinement and conditions of confinement that deprive basic human needs.[5]
The Supreme Court has also held that the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment applies to both the nature of the punishment and the manner in which it is inflicted.[1] This has resulted in rulings invalidating punishments that involve torture or other forms of severe physical or mental pain.[4]
Overall, the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment is a critical constitutional safeguard against excessive and inhumane treatment of individuals by the government.
Sources:
1 The United States Supreme Court Edited by Christopher Tomlins
2 On the Constitution of the United States by Joseph Story
3 The Constitution of the United States of America as Amended. Unratified Amendments. Analytical Index by Henry Hyde
4 U.S. Constitution for Everyone by Mort Green
5 The Making of America by W. Cleon Skousen
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