Understanding the 8th Amendment

This post is offered as a discussion topic only and does not represent legal advice. Officers must refer to the laws in their own State as well as their agency's policies, which can be more restrictive on officers than the law requires.

In several of our previous videos where we have discussed custodial environments, the court cases we have quoted discussed the 8th amendment of the United States Constitution, which reads, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” 

The 8th Amendment applies to inmates that have been convicted of a crime, and controls most of their daily life as an incarcerated person. The courts have made several rulings that deemed certain behaviors as a violation of the Constitution. Some of these include negligence of living conditions and health conditions, unreasonable force, failure to take threats seriously, or depriving food as a form of punishment. 

Remember, professionalism is required in every facet of this profession even when dealing with inmates. Be professional, follow all policies, and provide all that the law requires. 



This blog topic serves as a summary of our video lesson on this crucial topic. If you're interested in accessing the full video lesson and additional resources, click the link to register for your free 30-day trial.