Nurse and Cook

Nurse

The sheriff is authorized to hire a female registered nurse and a male registered nurse who are authorized to make complete physical examinations of all people committed to the custody of the sheriff for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious disease.  T.C.A. § 41-4-138. See  Haywood County v. Hudson, 740 S.W.2d 718, 719 (Tenn. 1987); George v. Harlan, 1998 WL 668637, *4 (Tenn. 1998) (“[I]t is clear that the Circuit Court has the power to authorize employment of personnel necessary to properly perform the duties of the office of the sheriff and the legislative body has the duty to provide the funds to carry out the order of the Circuit Court.”).

Cook

Pursuant to statute, the jailer has a duty to furnish adequate food to prisoners in the jail.  T.C.A. § 41-4-109. Tennessee courts have recognized that cooks are necessary for the operation of a jail. See Jones v. Mankin, 1989 WL 44924, *7 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989).