Abstract
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United Sates of America provides that excessive bail should not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The paper shows that the Constitution does not explicitly define what constitutes cruel and unusual punishments. Consequently, this has frequently been a matter of debate.

From the Paper
"The article I have reviewed deals with the issue of cruel and unusual punishment, with specific reference to the issue of whether imposing the death penalty on people who were under 18 when they committed a crime constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The newspaper article here under consideration deals with reaction to a specific court ruling pertaining to the notion of cruel and unusual punishment."

Tags:penal, system, punishment

Abstract
This paper considers the current challenge pending before the United States Supreme Court challenging the practice of lethal injection on the grounds that it is cruel and unusual punishment, because the combination of drugs that is used may cause serious trauma to the condemned person. Finding that this is not overt torture, the paper discounts this claim.

From the Paper
"The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging the use of lethal injection as a means of execution on the grounds that it is cruel and unusual. A federal trial court judge in Northern California recently commented on the limited nature of the relief that a condemned person is entitled to if he proves that execution by lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment: the state of California would be required to modify its execution procedures so as to make them more effective. Alternatively, the state could arguably use the electric chair or the gas chamber to execute..."

Tags:exectuion, lethal, injection

Abstract
This paper examines how both Bierce's short story and Auden's poem imply that humankind is cruel at best, indifferent at worst. However, the author discovers how these pieces also differ from each other in many ways. This essay distinguishes between the way in which Bierce sees death as a 'dignitary' who must be met with certain rituals as compared to Auden who sees death as haphazard, accidental, occurring without ritual or even much notice.

From the Paper
"Bierce and Auden seem to take a similar dim view of human nature. In the early paragraphs of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," Bierce shows the condemned Farquhar to be a loving husband and father. ("He closed his eyes in order to fix his last thoughts upon his wife and children.") Bierce also describes Farquhar as having a "kindly expression." However, this does nothing to soften the hearts of his captors. "The liberal military code makes provision for hanging many kinds of persons, and gentlemen are not excluded," Bierce tells the reader. Not only are the officers committed to hanging Farquhar, they make every possible effort to kill him following his "escape."

Tags:death, ceremonial, occasion, accident, sympathetic, character, condemned, man, claustrophobic, humankind, tragic

From the Paper
"In recent years, society has become more fearful of crime and more concerned that the criminal justice system does not deter violent crime as it should. Fear of crime is a driving force in elections and political battles. Crime costs the taxpayer, the consumer, and business vast sums of money each year, and the public responds by calling for more police, increased legislation, and stiffer penalties. The desire of the people for tougher sentences can run afoul of the Constitution and its prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, among other provisions. The issue of cruel and unusual punishment is often argued with reference to the death penalty, but it has applications in other punitive situations. The concept of what does and does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment has evolved in decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court over the years..."

Abstract
The paper describes super-max prisons and how the lives of the inmates are made intolerable, bordering on a contravention of basic human rights. The paper depicts the extreme and even cruel privation, the isolation and control techniques and the lack of intellectual and spiritual stimulation and their psychological effects. The paper disagrees with the view that while the conditions and treatment of prisoners in these super security prisons is harsh, it is deserved. The paper asserts that this analysis throws an alarming light on super-maximum prisons and strongly suggests a need for reform.

Outline:
Introduction
Prison Type and Characteristics
The Lives of Inmates
Conclusion: Reasons and Criticism

From the Paper
"The Human Rights Watch ( HRS) describes super-maximum prisons as environments that essentially contravene human rights standards and are often seen as places of "torture" rather than prisons. At present about two percent of the American prison population resides in these prisons. (SUPERMAX PRISONS: AN OVERVIEW) Supermax prisons are intended to house the worst offenders, including murderers, rapists, child molesters, etc. However, as will be discussed this is not always reported to be the case."

Tags:isolation, confinement, control, torture, violence

Abstract
No issue conjures up more emotions than the animal rights debate. As one expert explains, advocates of animal rights seem to think that their adversaries are selfish, unthinking, cruel, and even morally blind while those who oppose animal rights appear to think that "the advocates are fanatical and even bizarre, willing to trample on important human interests for the sake of rats and mice and salmon" (Sunstein and Nussbaum 4). In light of this interesting debate, the following discussion examines the morality of zoos. Specifically, the current study presents the argument that zoos are moral provided that animals are treated with proper care and kindness.

From the Paper
THE MORALITY OF ZOOS Introduction No issue conjures up more emotions than the animal rights debate. As one expert explains, advocates of animal rights seem to think that their adversaries are selfish, unthinking, cruel, and even morally blind while those who oppose animal rights appear to think that "the advocates are fanatical and even bizarre, willing to trample on important human interests for the sake of rats and mice and salmon" (Sunstein and Nussbaum 4). In light of this interesting debate, the following discussion examines the morality of zoos. Specifically, the current study presents the

Tags:ethics, animal rights, morality zoos

Abstract
The paper reviews the dynamics of the "Peter Pan" story in terms of how it has survived and evolved. The paper explains its themes that embrace the fantasy sanctuary where time stops and children never have to grow up to live in the violent world of "mature" adults. The paper maintains that the more cruel the adult world becomes, the more germane "Peter Pan" is to those who want to dream of a idyllic world where children are safe and will always be children. The paper looks at the movie "Finding Neverland", which features popular actor Johnny Depp playing the role of "Peter Pan" author, Sir. J.M. Barrie. The paper concludes that this is a book that has had an undying appeal through the decades.

Outline:
Introduction
Thesis
Why Has Peter Pan Stayed Popular
Finding Neverland
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The recent savage slaughter in Virginia Tech's classrooms will be remembered, discussed and debated for years to come. No doubt some psychologist or psychiatrist and a smooth-talking media type or two will conclude that the killer was a "lost boy" who tried to reach out for help, gave all the signals, but somehow just didn't connect. Some creative shrink may even suggest that the shooter was like a Peter Pan character gone mad, a young man who didn't want to grow up and join the ranks of society, but didn't know where to run and hide. So, the story will continue, this tormented Peter Pan bluffed normalcy, played the grown-up game by going to college but secretly, stealthily, turned into a bloodthirsty version of Captain Hook, who, at the end of the play, made 32 innocent students "walk the plank" of his demonic ship of death."

Tags:fantasy, sanctuary, children, adults, Johnny, Depp, J., M., Barrie

Abstract
The paper discusses Gilbert Stuckey et al.'s book "Procedures in the Justice System" which explores the underlying philosophy and history behind the concept of justice in depth. The paper shows how the authors endeavor to create a deep understanding of the American justice system and the need for law and order for all. The author of the paper surmises that the American justice system is a double-edge sword in dealing punishment that fits the crime and that there is room for improvement so that the system doesn't unintentionally work against the victim. The paper also focuses on cruel and unusual punishment.

From the Paper
"Our justice system is the mechanism for deterring crime or so we think. Let's look at the facts. More than 1.5 million people are incarcerated in the United States today, .4% of the population Today, 25% or more of California inmates are incarcerated for drug related crimes. In the 1980s alone, 8% of the incarcerations were drug related and 57% were for violent crimes. And the statistics go on. So how effective is our justice system? Are we too lenient? Or are the loopholes of some of our laws preventing us from really curbing crime."

Tags:Fourth, Amendment, trial, lawgivers, criminal

Abstract
This paper discusses the literary element of irony in the writings of Flannery O'Connor. "Revelation", "A Good Man is Hard to Find", "Good Country People", and "Everything That Rises Must Converge", are all humorous stories. But the irony of O'Connor often becomes cruel and wicked as she mocks people and their appearances.

Tags:irony, works, o'connor

Abstract
This six-page undergraduate level paper on the cruel and inhumane conditions cn South Carolina's rice plantations and focuses on the sad plight of the African people shipped to the Americas as slaves. It also concentrates on the material culture, living conditions and the journey of hardships and humiliation the blacks had to travel in order to gain equal status to those who owned them.