The Supreme Court has found that staff use of force against an inmate must cause a significant physical injury to violate the Eighth Amendment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court has not established a specific threshold for the amount of physical force that constitutes an Eighth Amendment violation, but has stated that excessive force is that which is applied maliciously and sadistically for the purpose of causing harm rather than in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline. Therefore, any use of force that is not necessary and disproportionate to the threat posed by the inmate may violate the Eighth Amendment, regardless of whether it causes significant physical injury.

The Supreme Court Has Found That Staff Use of Force