Nathanson's Argument Against The Death Penalty

Nathanson’s main point is that the capital punishment is a form of cruel and unusual punishment, denying individuals of their human desert (natural rights that don’t need to be earned and cannot be taken away) and setting a bad example for the rest of society. No matter anyone’s actions, they retain a certain level of dignity and should the state infringe upon this, the state thus promotes violence and its continuation (in the form of retaliation). While respecting the law is important, we must always be critical of it as injustice can always become present.

A counterargument to Nathanson’s ideas would discuss cruel and unusual punishment. If it is the basis for the argument against the death penalty, then why is solitary confinement