Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-2-109: Care of prisoners

It is the duty of the superintendent to:

(1) Discharge each prisoner as soon as the prisoner's time is out, or upon order of the board of commissioners;

(2) See that the prisoners are properly guarded to prevent escape;

(3) See that they are kindly and humanely treated, and properly provided with clothing, wholesome food properly cooked and prepared for eating three (3) times a day when at work;

(4) See that they are warmly and comfortably housed at night and in bad weather;

(5) See that when sick they have proper medicine and medical treatment, and, in case of death, are decently buried; and

(6) Keep the males separate from the females.