Defense against violence or attempt to escape

Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-21-401, under Punishment of Inmates.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-21-401

When personal violence is offered by an inmate to an officer, employee or to another inmate, or when an attempt is made to escape, or to do injury to the building, or any material, implements, etc., those officers and employees are authorized to use all necessary means of defense and to secure the person of the offender.