Final answer:
The Constitution generally prohibits the government from suspending the writ of habeas corpus, except in circumstances like rebellion or invasion, to prevent unlawful detention without informed charges and a court hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. Constitution establishes fundamental liberties, including the protection against unlawful detention through the writ of habeas corpus. This legal provision allows a person in custody to challenge the legality of their detention in court. The Constitution restricts the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus to extreme situations such as rebellion or invasion when public safety may require it. Historical instances include President Lincoln's suspension during the Civil War to deal with Confederate sympathizers and the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, which enabled detention of suspected Confederate operatives.
The constitutional safeguard against the suspension of habeas corpus is enshrined in Article I, Sections 9 and 10, and is further supported by the Bill of Rights. It emphasises that the government must avoid depriving an individual of liberty without legal cause. In lay terms, the government cannot simply jail someone without informing them of the charges and providing a legal avenue for contesting the detention. The government's power is hence limited to ensure protection of citizens' liberties.
Exceptional circumstances that have warranted the suspension of the writ in the past, such as during times of war or national threat, highlight its importance as a cornerstone of constitutional government and civil rights.