Which Supreme Court case under the Eighth Amendment requires correctional facilities to provide medical care to inmates?

• A. Hudson v. McMillian
• B. Turner v. Safley
• C. Bell v. Wolfish
• D. Estelle v. Gamble

Answer: (D)

Inmates have an Eighth Amendment protection that includes access to medical care, and Estelle v. Gamble clarifies that when prison staff know about a serious medical need and show deliberate indifference—disregarding or ignoring it—that can amount to cruel and unusual punishment. This case established the duty of correctional facilities to provide medical care to inmates and set the standard for evaluating when inaction crosses the line into constitutional violation. The other listed cases address different constitutional issues (use of force, regulation of inmates’ rights, and conditions of confinement in pretrial detention) and do not establish the specific obligation to provide medical care.