The Supreme Court has long been rather hostile to the 8th Amendment ban on cruel & unusual punishment, even for American citizens. For example, the Supreme Court upheld a life sentence (if I remember right, without parole) for first time possession of 6 grams of cocaine, and another guy for stealing a $50 TV (with possibility of parole).
The Supreme Court has long been rather hostile to the 8th Amendment ban on cruel & unusual punishment, even for American citizens. For example, the Supreme Court upheld a life sentence (if I remember right, without parole) for first time possession of 6 grams of cocaine, and another guy for stealing a $50 TV (with possibility of parole).