(CNN) The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has publicly reprimanded a judge who had offered reduced jail time to inmates who agreed to get long-term birth control procedures. Judge Sam Benningfield had offered a 30-day jail credit to female inmates who received a free Nexplanon implant , which provides up to three years of continuous birth control, and to male inmates who received a vasectomy, according to the board's letter. Benningfield, a White County General Sessions judge, signed the standing order on May 15 enforcing the program. Hedy Weinberg, the ACLU of Tennessee's executive director, argued that Benningfield's program "amounted to the government coercing people not to procreate." Board criticizes judgeAs of July 20, about 70 people , including 32 women and 38 men, had chosen to participate in the program.

Source: CNN November 21, 2017 19:30 UTC