Which legal principle protects inmates from cruel and unusual punishment?

The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution explicitly prohibits the imposition of cruel and unusual punishment. This principle is fundamental in the context of corrections, as it aims to ensure humane treatment of inmates and prohibits not only harsh sentences but also punishments that are excessively disproportionate to the offense committed. The Eighth Amendment addresses the overall conditions of confinement and the methods of punishment, establishing a legal standard that correctional facilities must adhere to in order to protect the dignity and rights of individuals incarcerated within the system.

The other amendments referenced play different roles within the Constitution. The Fifth Amendment relates primarily to protections against self-incrimination and guarantees due process, but it does not specifically address the treatment of inmates. The First Amendment safeguards freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly, focusing on individual liberties rather than penal conditions. The Fourteenth Amendment includes clauses about due process and equal protection but does not explicitly cover the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments. Hence, the Eighth Amendment is the relevant constitutional provision that protects inmates from such treatment in correctional settings.