Tennessee Code Title 41. Correctional Institutions and Inmates § 41-24-102

(1) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of correction;

(2) “Correctional services” means the following functions, services and activities, when provided within a prison or otherwise:

(3) “Department” means the department of correction;

(4) “Prison” or “facility” means any adult institution operated by or under the authority of the department;

(5) “Prison contractor” or “contractor” means any entity entering a contractual agreement with the commissioner to provide correctional services to inmates under the custody of the department;

(6) “TDOC liaison” means any person appointed by the commissioner to act as the commissioner's on-site designee so that powers and duties not delegable to the contractor shall be carried out with the authority of the state; and

(7) “Transitional facility” means any adult institution operated by a nonprofit entity under the authority of the department providing short-term transitional services to offenders within one (1) year of release on parole or expiration of sentence, excluding offenders convicted of a sexual offense; provided, however, that the total number of such facilities statewide shall not exceed four (4), and that the total number of beds in such facilities statewide shall not exceed, collectively, one hundred fifty (150).