Tennessee Code Title 41. Correctional Institutions and Inmates § 41-22-303

(1) It is the duty of the sheriff of the county to select a guard for the inmates to guard them from the time they are removed from the county jail to be put to work until returned;

(2) It is the duty of the county legislative body to furnish the guard with picks to be placed on each inmate during the time of their removal from the county jail and employment on the public roads, to prevent them under any circumstances from escaping, and the guard shall be responsible for the safe return of the inmates to the county jail; and

(3) While guarding the inmates, the guard shall be clothed with the same authority, and the guard's duties and powers shall be the same, as pertain to sheriffs in the guarding of inmates.