Idaho counties spend about $20 million a year providing criminal defense lawyers for people who can't afford their own attorneys. It's not enough. Virtually no one disputes that. If you think otherwise, look at the results. Public defenders are overwhelmed with work. Sometimes these lawyers are less experienced. Usually, they lack the resources to fully investigate their cases. Which leads to more people being convicted - no doubt including individuals who should not be - and then sent to prison for longer periods that they otherwise would. Idaho is a poor state. Most of those charged with crimes rely on Idaho's flawed system of representing them in court. So is it any wonder that one of every 18 adults in the Gem State is in prison, in a county jail, on parole or probation? The Pew Center on the States ranked Idaho second only to Georgia in the percentage of its population tied up in the correctional system/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Are too many Idahoans in prison?