Be better if they erected a public gallows and whipping post.
The “cruel and unusual punishment” part of the Constitution is one of my least favorite parts.
I understand that torturing people as part of an investigation is a bad idea — quality of the information may be lacking. So that’s bad.
But actual punishment? For people convicted of a crime? Whip them, hang them in public, use them as an unpleasant object lesson for others in their community.
I have no problem with that at all.
I have a much bigger problem with the long-term warehousing of people who will never contribute to society.