“How would that be cruel and unusual punishment? Are you saying that prisons have an affirmative duty to protect inmates from prison violence?”
Yes. The 8th Amendment guarantees that RIGHT...
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
That refers to cruel and unusual punishment by the government. I hardly think refusing to kowtow to the demand of a prisoner that he be placed in administrative segregation is cruel and unusual punishment.