Article: 'HITCHING POST' OFFICERS LOSE IMMUNITY

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'Hitching post' officers lose immunity

WASHINGTON, Jun 27, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) - - The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that when government officials knowingly and spectacularly violate someone's civil rights, they can' t expect immunity in court.

The ruling came in the case of Alabama guards who tied a prisoner to a "hitching post" for hours in the sun as a disciplinary measure.

Speaking for the 6-3 majority, Justice David Souter cited 1986's Whitley vs. Albers: "The unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain ... constitutes cruel and unusual punishment."

"Cruel and unusual punishments" are banned by the Eighth ...

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