Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-4-102: Delivery of jail and prisoners to successor in office

(a) Upon the resignation, death, removal from office or expiration of the term of office of any sheriff or coroner acting as sheriff, the jail and the prisoners in the jail, with everything belonging or pertaining thereto, shall be delivered over to the successor of the sheriff or coroner or any person duly authorized by law to take charge of the jail.

(b) A failure to comply with this section, after demand made by the person entitled to the charge of the jail, is a misdemeanor.