Title 10, Armed ForcesRelease 119-102
§855 Art. 55. Cruel and Unusual Punishments Prohibited
Title 10 › Subtitle A — General Military Law › PART II — PERSONNEL › CHAPTER 47 — UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE › SUBCHAPTER VIII — SENTENCES › § 855
Summary
Courts-martial must not order flogging, branding, marking, tattooing, or other harsh punishments; irons may be used only to keep someone secure.
Full Legal Text
Title 10, §855
Armed Forces, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Punishment by flogging, or by branding, marking, or tattooing on the body, or any other cruel or unusual punishment, may not be adjudged by any court-martial or inflicted upon any person subject to this chapter. The use of irons, single or double, except for the purpose of safe custody, is prohibited.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 85550:636.May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1 (Art. 55), 64 Stat. 126. The word “may” is substituted for the word “shall”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 855
Title 10, Armed Forces
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102