Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-6-148

Whenever a correctional officer or youth service worker is injured in the line of duty and such injury disables such person from performing such person's regular duties, whether such disability is temporary or permanent, it is lawful for the commissioner of correction, or the commissioner of children's services, as appropriate, in such commissioner's sound discretion and with the approval of the governor and the attorney general and reporter, to retain such injured disabled employee upon the regular payroll of the department of correction or the department of children's services, as appropriate, until the person's claim for compensation for such disability is determined by the division of claims and risk management.