On the surface, it may appear that long-term solitary confinement is far less harsh than more archaic punishments, such as public execution, whipping, or the pillory.13 However, these more dramatic punishments have been replaced by others, like solitary confinement, that are subtler but still depraved. Practices like this make it possible for prison officials to cause prisoners to suffer a great deal of pain, both physically and psychologically, “without provoking public outcry.”The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether long-term solitary confinement per se violates the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause of the Eighth Amendment.16 This Note argues that a proper original understanding of the Clause would eradicate the use of long-term solitary confinement in the United States.

中文翻译：

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残酷、不寻常和违宪：结束单独监禁的原创论点

从表面上看，长期单独监禁似乎远没有公开处决、鞭打或手铐等更古老的惩罚那么严厉。 13 然而，这些更具戏剧性的惩罚已被其他惩罚所取代，如单独监禁、那些更微妙但仍然堕落的。像这样的做法使监狱官员有可能使囚犯在身心上遭受极大的痛苦，“而不会引起公众的强烈抗议。”最高法院尚未决定长期单独监禁本身是否违反了残酷和第八修正案的不寻常惩罚条款。16 本说明认为，对该条款的正确原始理解将根除美国长期单独监禁的使用。