It protects people from cruel and unusual punishment. Cruel and unusual punishment means a really horrible punishment like torture. It also means a punishment that does not fit the crime.

The Eighth Amendment makes sure that you do not go to jail for jay- walking. It also makes sure that you do not go to prison for life for stealing a small sum of money.

Is the death penalty a cruel and unusual punishment? Some people think so and they believe that the Constitution forbids it.