What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

The 8th Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically prohibits the imposition of excessive bail and fines, as well as cruel and unusual punishment. It reflects the founders' concerns regarding potential abuses in the justice system, particularly related to the treatment of individuals awaiting trial or serving their sentences. This amendment ensures a balance in the legal process, aiming to prevent punitive excesses that can disproportionately affect individuals, especially those who may lack financial resources.

The other options pertain to different amendments: the establishment of religion is addressed in the First Amendment, searches without a warrant fall under the Fourth Amendment, and the right against self-incrimination is found in the Fifth Amendment. Each of these amendments protects vital individual rights but does not overlap with the specific protections offered by the 8th Amendment. Thus, the primary focus of the 8th Amendment is clearly on the prohibitions related to bail, fines, and punishment.