The superintendent of a workhouse is authorized, with the approval of the local governing body of the county workhouse, to jointly contract with any other governmental agency, whether federal, state, county or municipal, with regard to accepting prisoners in custody of such other governmental agency or agencies for purposes of participating in the work release program under the provisions of T.C.A. §§ 41-2-127 - 41-2-132. The sheriff is also authorized, with the approval of the county legislative body, to contract with another unit of government to accept prisoners in the custody of such government for the purpose of participating in the work release program. T.C.A. § 41-2-132.