Which amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution explicitly prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. This amendment is part of the Bill of Rights and is crucial in shaping the standards of punishment in the American legal system. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that individuals, even those convicted of crimes, are treated humanely and not subjected to excessively harsh sentences or torturous conditions.

Over time, the courts have interpreted this amendment to protect against not just physical cruelty, but also conditions that may be considered degrading or dehumanizing. For instance, cases involving the treatment of prisoners, execution methods, and sentencing practices have all been influenced by this amendment, as it aims to maintain a baseline of dignity and humanity within the justice system.

The other amendments mentioned deal with different rights: the First Amendment addresses freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition; the Fifth Amendment includes protections against self-incrimination and guarantees due process; while the Fourteenth Amendment provides for equal protection under the law and due process at the state level. Each serves distinct roles within the Constitution but does not specifically focus on the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment like the Eighth Amendment does.