How has the Supreme Court interpreted the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment?

The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishments for any crime. The Supreme Court has interpreted this to mean that punishments which are “excessive” when weighed against the crime committed are not allowed. In overturning a death sentence case in 1976, the Supreme Court held that a punishment should not be “grossly disproportionate” to the severity of the crime. In a later ruling, the court prohibited punishments such as life in prison without parole for juvenile offenders, saying that such a sentence was excessively harsh for crimes committed by minors. Additionally, in a 2011 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that imposing the death penalty on someone who was mentally impaired was cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court has recognized that context must be taken into account when determining whether a punishment is cruel and unusual. In a 2005 decision, the Court held that under particular circumstances, such as if it would not serve any legitimate purpose, solitary confinement could also be found to be cruel and unusual. In practical terms, the Supreme Court has largely prevented the death penalty from being applied for non-homicide crimes and mandated that juvenile offenders be treated differently than adults. The Court has also set limits on sentencing as to what is considered excessively long, ensuring that punishments are in line with the severity of the crime committed.

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How has the Supreme Court interpreted the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment?

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