Which amendment in the U.S. Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, such as caning?

The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the one that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. This amendment is a crucial part of the Bill of Rights and is aimed at ensuring that punishments are not only fair but also humane. The phrase "cruel and unusual" has been interpreted by courts to protect individuals from barbaric procedures and excessively harsh penalties that do not fit the crime committed. Cases involving physical forms of punishment, such as caning, fall under this clause, as the amendment serves to uphold the dignity of individuals within the justice system.

The other amendments listed—6th, 4th, and 1st—focus on different rights. The 6th Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial, the 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the 1st Amendment ensures freedoms such as speech and religion. Each of these amendments plays a significant role in safeguarding individual liberties but does not address the issue of punishment in the way that the 8th Amendment does.