White Co. To Be Sued Over Birth Control Program

A Virginia law firm will file a federal civil rights lawsuit against White County over a discontinued birth control program.

In a written statement, Nexus Caridades Attorneys said they intend to file the suit at the federal courthouse in Nashville.

The suit will name White County, Sheriff Oddie Shoupe and county personnel who were involved in the program. The law firm charges White County officials “conspired to violate the Constitutional rights of those they determined were “undesirable” by forcing inmates to receive birth control implants or vasectomies in order to be released early from jail.”

According to the statement, an unnamed female was forced to participate in the program but didn’t receive the 30-day jail credit promised.

The birth control program began in May when White County Judge Sam Benningfield signed a standing order offering a 30-day reduction in sentence to any inmate that was sterilized or had a birth control implant. Benningfield withdrew the order in July after public outcry. At the time, Benningfield said the state health department was paying for the procedures. The health department said it has never paid for any birth control or sterilization procedure at the White County Jail.