---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 949s"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "949s"
heading: "Cruel or unusual punishments prohibited"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/949s"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 47A — Military Commissions"
  - "Subchapter VI — Sentences"
---

# §949s. Cruel or unusual punishments prohibited


Punishment by flogging, or by branding, marking, or tattooing on the body, or any other cruel or unusual punishment, may not be adjudged by a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) commission under this chapter or inflicted under this chapter upon any [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) subject to this chapter. The use of irons, single or double, except for the purpose of safe custody, is prohibited under this chapter.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XVIII, § 1802, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2598.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 949s, added Pub. L. 109–366, § 3(a)(1), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2617, prohibited cruel or unusual punishments, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 111–84.