(a) An official or employee of any penal institution that is responsible for maintaining persons in custody commits an offense who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permits or facilitates the escape of a person in custody.(b) It is unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly permit or facilitate the escape of a person in custody.(c) Permitting or facilitating escape is a Class E felony unless: (1) The person in custody was charged with or convicted of a felony;(2) The person used or threatened to use a deadly weapon to effect the escape; or(3) The offense under subsection (a) was committed intentionally or knowingly, in which event permitting or facilitating escape is a Class C felony.Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1996, ch. 637, § 1.
Tennessee Legal Code