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The ACLU of Tennessee has criticized a judge's sentence reduction deal for inmates. Judge Sam Benningfield signed an order permitting a 30-day sentence reduction for male inmates who agree to have vasectomy and female inmates who agree to get the birth control implant Nexplanon, which prevents pregnancy for four years.
The program is voluntary. However, the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee has condemned the program, calling it "unconstitutional." [...] But Benningfield, who declined to speak to NBC News, told News Channel 5 that he is trying to encourage "personal responsibility" among inmates, who will not "be burdened with children" when they are released. "This gives them a chance to get on their feet and make something of themselves," Benningfield told the station.
Since the program began, 32 women have received the birth control implant and 38 men have agreed to have a vasectomy, News Channel 5 reported. It was not immediately clear how many men have undergone the surgery.
Inmates can get two days knocked off their sentences for attending a course about the risks of babies born addicted to opioids:
America's opioid crisis is expanding to a new class of victims—unborn children. Infants are being born with symptoms of withdrawal, also known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, or NAS. In the last decade, states like Tennessee have seen a ten-fold rise in the number of babies born with NAS.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Beryllium Sphere (r) on Sunday July 23 2017, @03:17AM (1 child)
>No one is forced to do this
Did you miss the part where they stay in jail 30 days longer if they refuse than if they accept?
30 days of jail is coercive. That's why we impose jail sentences, because they're coercive.
(Score: 2) by julian on Sunday July 23 2017, @08:13PM
I don't think that's the right way to look at it.
They have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to n days in prison. The judge then says, if you get a vasectomy we will make your sentence n-30 days. That's different than the proposition: your sentence is n days, if you *don't* get a vasectomy we will make your sentence n+30 days.
I don't think this program is a good idea, but it's not bad for the reason you give.