The Mississippi courts have long interpreted the Mississippi Constitution’s punishment clause, which bars “cruel or unusual punishment,” in the same way as the U.S. Supreme Court interprets the Eighth Amendment, which bars “cruel and unusual punishments.” This assumption of the Mississippi courts—that the two clauses mean the same thing—is contrary to both the relevant history and basic principles of state constitutional law.  

Find out more about how Mississippi's clause has been and should be interpreted and the implication of the clause for penal reform in this lecture by Dr. William Berry, Associate Dean for Research and Montague and Professor of Law at The University of Mississippi.

This is a hybrid event. Those off-campus can join 15 minutes before the start time via the Webex link.