What right does the Eighth Amendment specifically protect concerning punishments?

The Eighth Amendment specifically protects against cruel and unusual punishment, which is a foundational principle in ensuring that the justice system does not inflict overly severe or inhumane treatments on individuals. This amendment serves as a safeguard against punitive measures that could be considered barbaric or disproportionate to the crime committed. The framers of the Constitution intended to create a humane penal system, which underscores the importance of maintaining dignity and humanity, even for those who have broken the law.

The other options relate to different protections provided in the Bill of Rights. The protection against excessive fines and the prohibitions against double jeopardy and self-incrimination are indeed significant rights, but they fall under other amendments—specifically, the excessive fines aspect aligns more closely with the Eighth Amendment's provisions but does not encompass the broader principle of cruel and unusual punishment. The double jeopardy protection is covered by the Fifth Amendment, while self-incrimination is also addressed in the Fifth Amendment. Therefore, the focus on cruel and unusual punishment is what distinguishes the Eighth Amendment and makes it the correct choice in this context.