Final answer:
Texas's criminal justice system is perceived as harsh due to its high utilization of the death penalty, large incarcerated population, and inequitable cash bail system that often targets people of color and results in long prison terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Texas is often viewed as excessively harsh in criminal justice due to high usage of the death penalty, a large proportion of the population incarcerated, and an inequitable cash bail system. The state leads with 40% of all executions since 1976 and a significant number of citizens on death row or serving extended prison sentences. Questions around the fairness and targets of the justice system, along with debates on the effectiveness of capital punishment and life sentences, exemplify the controversy over the system's approach to crime and punishment.
The high incarceration rates and extended sentences in Texas have been influenced by a historical legacy of racist policies and a 'get tough on crime' mantra which, since the 1970s, has resulted in the U.S. having one of the world's highest rates of imprisonment. Critics argue the justice system disproportionately targets people of color, particularly in death penalty cases.
Moreover, issues with the cash bail system reinforce inequalities, as bail amounts can be prohibitive, leading to extended pre-trial detention for those unable to pay.