A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A lackey claim is when a prisoner argues that being on death row for a long time is cruel and unusual punishment. This claim is named after the case of Lackey v. Texas, where the Supreme Court denied a prisoner's request to appeal his death sentence on the grounds that it was cruel and unusual punishment.

Example: A prisoner who has been on death row for 20 years might make a lackey claim, arguing that the long wait for execution is causing them undue suffering and is therefore unconstitutional.

Explanation: The lackey claim is based on the idea that being on death row for a long time is a form of psychological torture, as the prisoner is constantly living with the fear and uncertainty of when they will be executed. The Supreme Court has generally rejected lackey claims, arguing that the delay is necessary to ensure that the death penalty is carried out fairly and without error.