(a) There is created a commission to authorize prisoners to come under a work release program whenever any person has been committed to the workhouse or similar place of confinement and to approve educational programs established pursuant to § 41-2-145.

(b) The commission, as authorized in this section, is authorized and empowered to permit the defendant to leave the workhouse during approved working hours to work at a place of employment and to earn a living to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of the prisoner's current financial obligations; provided, that the prisoner returns to the workhouse each day after work and that the prisoner is released only for related rehabilitative purposes as recommended by the correctional/rehabilitation work release coordinator.

(c)

(1) In any county having a population of not less than eight hundred twenty-five thousand (825,000) nor more than eight hundred thirty thousand (830,000), according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census, and in any county having a metropolitan form of government and a population of not less than one hundred thousand (100,000), according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census, the commission shall be composed of not more than twelve (12) members nor less than three (3) members, who shall meet as three-member panels for the purpose of reviewing and approving applications for work release.

(2) In other counties, the commission shall be composed of three (3) members.

(3) In all counties:

(A) The sheriff or workhouse superintendent shall appoint the members of the commission, subject to the approval of the county legislative body;

(B) Each member shall serve a four-year term; and

(C) A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(d) The commission shall meet weekly or at the call of the sheriff at the sheriff's office.