cruel and unusual punishment

Cultural  

1. Punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. Cruel and unusual punishment includes torture, deliberately degrading punishment, or punishment that is too severe for the crime committed. This concept helps guarantee due process even to convicted criminals. Many people have argued that capital punishment (see also capital punishment) should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

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Example Sentences

Inmates have challenged the use of lethal injections in the past on the grounds they may violate Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, including the denial of necessary medical care for inmates.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

Black’s botched execution should be the occasion to rethink the legal standards now governing the way courts treat claims under the Constitution’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

From Slate • Aug. 8, 2025

Johnson, asks whether fining homeless people for sleeping outside when there isn’t adequate shelter space for them amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2024

We filed a petition to challenge Joe's sentence as unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson