(1) The commissioner of correction is authorized to designate certain institutions as regional state workhouses that may be operated by the department of correction to house prisoners sentenced to confinement for six (6) years or less.
(2) Regional state workhouses may be established in one (1) or more development districts created pursuant to title 13, chapter 14.
(3) The institutions shall be sufficiently secure to prevent the unauthorized absence by prisoners in the institutions.
(4) Suitable living quarters shall be maintained and, where possible, the department should provide transportation to jobs and to vocational, educational or other programs in the community.