(a) The Board shall elect from its members a chairman, vice chairman and a secretary. It shall adopt rules and regulations for its government and may adopt an official seal for the Department. Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act while attending meetings of the Board or while performing other official duties.
(b) The Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To establish policies for the operation of the Department;
(2) To establish and maintain such institutions as are necessary or convenient for the operation of programs for the education, training, vocational education and rehabilitation of prisoners under the jurisdiction of the Department;
(3) To lease, from time to time, without restriction as to terms, any property which said Board shall determine advisable to more fully carry into effect the operation of prison industries;
(4) To acquire, construct, extend, improve, maintain and operate any and all facilities of all kinds which in the judgment of the Board shall be necessary or convenient to foster the prison industries program;
(5) To require the Director and any other personnel of the Department, when deemed necessary by the Board, to give bond for the faithful performance of their duties;
(6) To appoint and fix the salary of the Director;
(7) To enter into contracts with private prison contractors; and (8) To provide training to employees of private prison contractors and other governmental entities on a fee basis.