Whenever the sheriff or superintendent in charge of the county workhouse or penal farm determines that a prisoner who is convicted and sentenced to the workhouse or penal farm under T.C.A. § 40-23-104 (Sentence to Workhouse for Felony Term), T.C.A. § 40-35-314 (Confinement in Local Jail or Workhouse) or former T.C.A. § 40-35-311 proves to be a troublemaker or does not adjust to the proper operation of the workhouse or penal farm and creates a problem, the sheriff or superintendent may present to the court that ordered the prisoner confined in the county workhouse or penal farm for the term of such sentence a petition setting forth the reasons why, in such officer's opinion, an order should be entered transferring the prisoner from the county workhouse or penal farm to the Department of Correction. T.C.A. § 41-2-121(a).

A copy of the petition must be served upon the prisoner by the sheriff and the prisoner then brought before the court to show cause why the prisoner should not be transferred from the county workhouse or penal farm to the department to serve out the term in the department in conformity with the allegations and prayer of the petition before the court. If the judge of the court that ordered the prisoner confined in the county workhouse or penal farm for the term of such sentence is not immediately available due to death, illness, recess or any other reason, the petition may be presented to, and acted upon by, any other judge of a court of equal or concurrent jurisdiction. T.C.A. § 41-2-121(b).