It Is Difficult to Know When to Apply the Prohibition

It is difficult to know when to apply the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment because ______.

A) the definitions of cruel and unusual are difficult to establish
B) the public presses the government to inflict cruel punishments
C) cruel punishments are often warranted
D) crime can be suppressed only if the government is willing to be cruel
E) unusual punishments are often necessary for unusual defendants