A county by resolution of its governing body may elect to cover prisoners in the custody of the county penal system with workers' compensation benefits in accordance with the provisions of Sections 42-1-480 and 42-1-490. The appropriate officials shall make arrangements and necessary adjustments in their contributions or premiums to the State Accident Fund or other insurers as the fund or insurers determine necessary to provide compensation for county prisoners in appropriate cases. The provisions of this section permit workers' compensation coverage only to county prisoners performing work assigned by penal officials of the county or engaged in a vocational training program and, further, apply to these prisoners regardless of the length of the sentence to be served.