County, Sheriff’s Department Not Paying For Vasectomies

The White County Sheriff’s Department and the White County Executive’s office said they’re not paying for a controversial program offering reduced sentences to inmates in exchange for sterilization or long-term birth control.

Judge Sam Benningfield issued the order in May.

White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson’s office said no county money has been spent on the program at this time and they don’t see any county funds being spent on it in the future.

Sheriff Oddie Shoupe issued a statement through Det. Chris Isom.

Isom said the White County jail has doctors and nurses that serve the facility and are paid through the sheriff’s department, but Judge Benningfield’s standing order is separate.

“It’s my understanding as I’m getting to know this, this is out of a program out of the health department, we have doctors and nurses that serve our facility, but this is another program out of the health department,” Isom said.

Officials with the state health department didn’t respond to emails requesting comment Thursday. White County Health Department Director Andrea Fox didn’t respond to voicemail Thursday.